Pakistan to only accept legal immigrants, adhere to Nov. 1 deportation deadline for aliens

By Islamuddin Sajid

ISLAMABAD (AA) – Pakistan reaffirmed on Thursday that it will continue to host only legal immigrants while adhering to the Nov. 1 deadline for deporting all those without valid resident permits in the country.

"Pakistan will continue to host legal Afghan immigrants. The eviction plan is only for illegal immigrants," Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch during a weekly press briefing in Islamabad.

Now the situation in Afghanistan has stabilized, it is time to create a conducive environment for the voluntary repatriation of Afghan refugees with honor and dignity, she said.

In explaining her government's recent decision to evict undocumented foreigners beginning next month, she said Pakistan is a sovereign country that will act in accordance with the law.

Pakistan's recent decision is not directed at Afghan refugees or any specific nationality, she said, adding that the decision is “against illegal migrants regardless of nationality."

Responding to the reaction of the Afghan government over the Islamabad decision, Baloch said they are in contact with the Afghan interim administration.

Responding to Afghanistan’s interim government's reaction to the decision, Baloch said they are in contact with Kabul.

Earlier on Tuesday, Pakistani caretaker Interior Minister Sarfraz Bugti said the government has given all foreigners living illegally in Pakistan until Nov. 1 to leave the country.

After the deadline, he said, all the illegal immigrants would be deported.

On Wednesday, Balochistan caretaker Information Minister Jan Achakzai said after the deadline, the government will seize the properties and businesses of illegal foreigners.

In response to the two announcements, the Afghan Taliban on Wednesday rejected Pakistan's plan to expel "foreigners" living illegally in the country, urging Islamabad to reconsider its decision.

The Taliban interim administration's spokesman, Zabihullah Mujahid, also rejected allegations that Afghans are involved in terrorist activities in Pakistan.

“The behavior of Pakistan against Afghan refugees is unacceptable. The Pakistani side should reconsider its plan. Afghan refugees are not involved in Pakistan's security problems. As long as they leave Pakistan voluntarily, that country should tolerate them," Mujahid said on X.