Pakistan

Afghan migrants warned against political activity

Supporting candidates in election risks deportation, says ministry

Our Correspondent November 28, 2023

Afghan refugees gather for renewal of their family cards at the Chamkany registration center on the outskirts of Peshawar. PHOTO: AFP/FILE

ISLAMABAD:

The Federal Ministry of Interior has cautioned both illegal and legal Afghan migrants to refrain from supporting or funding any candidate for political or electoral activities in Pakistan.

It has warned that a violation of this order will lead to deportation of that individual regardless of their legal status.
A statement issued by the ministry on Monday said it is illegal for an Afghan national to support or provide funding to any candidate for political and electoral activities in Pakistan.

"Any Afghan citizen involved in such activities will face deportation, regardless of their legal status in Pakistan." The ministry also urged Pakistani citizens not to employ or assist illegal aliens in securing employment.

The statement also appealed for information about any such illegal alien or the person providing them employment to be reported to the Ministry of Interior for legal action. The helpline for reporting is available on the ministry's website (UAN 051 111-367-226, HOTLINE 051-9211685).

Pakistan has initiated the deportation of undocumented Afghan nationals as part of an extensive campaign, which has garnered attention from neighboring Afghanistan. Pakistan currently hosts around four million Afghans, over one million of whom are illegal, lacking refugee registration.

On October 3, 2023, Caretaker Interior Minister Sarfraz Bugti ordered all undocumented immigrants, primarily around 1.73 million Afghan nationals, to voluntarily leave the country by November 1, 2023, or face deportation in a government crackdown.

The next general elections in Pakistan are scheduled for February 8, 2024.