Bugti Clarifies No Crackdown Against Afghan Refugees

Caretaker Interior Minister Sarfaraz Ahmed Bugti has made it clear that there is no crackdown against Afghan refugees. He emphasized that the current action is directed solely at illegal aliens within the country.

In response to a motion presented by Senator Sardar Muhammad Shafiq Tareen and others, Bugti dispelled any notion of hasty deportation of illegal aliens. He highlighted the government’s implementation of a well-defined mechanism for the repatriation of such individuals, involving district-level committees with input from a representative of the Afghan Chargé d’affaires.

Bugti explained that the government initially provided a voluntary return time-frame, resulting in over 290,000 foreign nationals returning to their countries. Only about 8,000 illegal Afghan nationals were repatriated by the government, while approximately 300,000 illegal citizens left voluntarily.

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To address concerns, a dedicated special portal and telephone line were established to receive complaints about the repatriation process. Bugti reported that 569 complaints were received, and 82 percent of them were resolved through consistent follow-up.

Bugti rejected claims of mistreatment during the repatriation process, stating that Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar explicitly directed against any such actions. He assured the House that border mismanagement would be addressed, and suggestions from political leadership on this matter would be welcomed.

Bugti emphasized that no Afghan refugee with legal documentation has been affected, underscoring the deep bond of brotherhood between Afghans and Pakistanis. He acknowledged the historical ties but noted the changing situation in Afghanistan, emphasizing the government’s focus on ending illegality.

Bugti reiterated that the government’s action is solely against illegal aliens lacking valid travel documents, expressing openness to welcoming anyone with proper documentation. Lawmakers, in response, urged the government to provide sufficient time for the honorable and dignified repatriation of Afghan citizens. They emphasized the need for a comprehensive strategy and plan, suggesting a meeting of the “Committee of the Whole” for a detailed briefing on the issue, with relevant authorities invited.