Pakistan bans Afghan nationals from living in Islamabad without official documents

Mohsin Naqvi, Pakistan’s Interior Minister, has warned that after December 31 of this year, Afghan nationals will not be allowed to live in Islamabad without official authorization.

On Wednesday, November 27, he emphasized that Afghan citizens wishing to reside in Islamabad must obtain permission from the relevant offices of the Ministry of the Interior.

The Interior Minister made this statement while protests by supporters of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party, demanding the release of Imran Khan from prison, began across Pakistan on Monday.

Yesterday, Syed Nasir Ali, in a press conference, revealed that during the protests in support of Imran Khan, approximately 1,000 protesters had been arrested, including 19 Afghan nationals.

Meanwhile, Amnesty International condemned the “deadly” crackdown on protesters in Pakistan and called for “transparent” investigations into the actions taken by the Pakistani government.

The process of expelling undocumented Afghan migrants began in November of last year and continues to this day.

According to the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, from September 15, 2023, to September 30, 2024, about 588,000 Afghan migrants have returned to Afghanistan from Pakistan.

The ongoing issue of Afghan migrants in Pakistan remains complex, with rising tensions over the treatment of foreign nationals amidst political unrest.

The Pakistani government’s strict measures regarding Afghan refugees are contributing to increased uncertainty for thousands of people who are already facing difficult living conditions.

The international community, along with human rights organizations, continues to monitor these developments, calling for protection and fair treatment of vulnerable migrants.

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