Pakistan is taking steps to deport 1.1 million undocumented Afghan refugees, a major policy decision influenced by strained relations with Afghanistan.
Though the caretaker federal cabinet has approved this plan, there’s no official word yet from the interim government.
According to sources, about 400,000 Afghans have illegally entered Pakistan since the Afghan Taliban resumed power in August 2021.
Additionally, another 700,000 Afghans already residing in the country have been identified as undocumented.
This decision has already been communicated to the Afghan Taliban government, say sources.
The move gains importance as Pakistan and Afghanistan face ongoing issues related to the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).
Observers anticipate that international bodies, especially the UN High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR), are likely to criticize Pakistan for this forced repatriation policy.
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