ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s foreign office spokesperson on Monday defended the country’s right to deport illegal immigrants from next month, saying the decision is in line with accepted international norms and principles.
Mumtaz Zahra Baloch, Pakistan’s foreign office spokesperson, was responding to the UN Refugee Agency’s statement from Oct. 27 in which it had said it was “extremely alarmed” by Islamabad’s decision to deport illegal immigrants once the Nov. 1 deadline expires.
The UN agency pointed out how many Afghan nationals facing deportation were “at grave risk” of human rights violations if they returned to Afghanistan.
“The Illegal Foreigners Repatriation Plan (IFRP) applies to all illegal foreigners residing in Pakistan, irrespective of their nationality and country of origin,” Baloch said in response to media queries.
“The decision is in exercise of Pakistan’s sovereign domestic laws, and compliant with applicable international norms and principles.”
She reiterated that foreign nationals residing legally in Pakistan or registered in the country would not be deported.
“The Government of Pakistan takes its commitments toward protection and safety needs of those in vulnerable situations with utmost seriousness,” the statement said, adding that Pakistan’s record of hosting millions of Afghan refugees for the last 40 years speaks for itself.
She called on the international community to scale up collective efforts to address refugee situations by advancing durable solutions “as a matter of priority.”
“Pakistan will continue to work with our international partners to this end,” Baloch concluded.
Pakistan says its decision to expel illegal immigrants from the country is driven by its desire to bring the law and order situation under control.
Caretaker Interior Minister Sarfraz Bugti said on Sunday that the government has evidence of Afghan nationals being involved in street crimes in Islamabad, Lahore and Karachi.
He also said that out of the 24 suicide attacks that have taken place in Pakistan since January this year, 14 were carried out by Afghan nationals.
The Afghan Taliban have criticized Pakistan’s decision to expel illegal immigrants, saying that they do not pose any security risks to the country.
