Pakistan won’t extend deadline for expelling illegal immigrants: Interior Minister
Caretaker Interior Minister Sarfraz Bugti urged illegal immigrants residing in Pakistan to return to their home countries voluntarily. He announced on Thursday that the government has now completed the plan for repatriating these individuals.
He has confirmed no plans to extend the deadline for expelling migrants from the country. On Thursday, the Interior Minister of Pakistan, Sarfaraz Bugti, clarified that the decision to expel illegal immigrants after November 1st has been misunderstood and misinterpreted, emphasizing that Pakistan’s intention is not limited to Afghan nationals.
He made this statement during a session of the Permanent Committee of the Pakistani Senate, addressing the misconceptions surrounding Pakistan’s declaration regarding the departure of foreign migrants.
Sarfaraz Bugti emphasized, “We talked about expelling illegal residents, but the message was conveyed as if we were only expelling Afghans. The government’s message was not just for Afghans; it was for all illegal migrants.”
The Interior Minister of Pakistan announced the government’s intention to expel illegal Iranian migrants, particularly those from the Baloch community. Additionally, he emphasized that the Pakistani authorities regard individuals holding refugee cards or visas as guests.
The High-Level Committee of the Pakistani government recently announced that all illegal migrants living in the country have until November 1st to leave Pakistan.
This decision has faced significant criticism both domestically in Pakistan and Afghanistan. Several human rights organizations have expressed concerns about it.
Bugti expressed hope that after November 1st, a single-entry system for travelling to Pakistan will be established, and “anyone wishing to come to Pakistan should have a passport with them.”
He emphasized that no country allows someone to come and live there illegally.
The Interior Minister of Pakistan stated that there is currently no proposal to extend the deadline for the expulsion of “illegal” migrants. If such a proposal is made, authorities will discuss it.
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