‘We decide who stays in Pakistan’, says FO on deportation of Afghan refugees

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🇵🇰 FO Responds on Afghan Refugees Deportation Issue

The Foreign Office (FO) has strongly asserted Pakistan’s sovereignty in response to international criticism over the repatriation of Afghan refugees.

🔹 Key Statement:

“We decide who stays in Pakistan,” the FO spokesperson said, stressing that refugee management and deportation decisions lie solely with Pakistan and cannot be dictated by external actors.

🔹 Context:

• Pakistan has hosted millions of Afghan refugees for decades, with numbers increasing after the Taliban takeover in 2021.

• Islamabad maintains that undocumented refugees are a security and economic burden.

• Deportation drives have faced criticism from humanitarian groups and the UN, who warn of worsening hardships for Afghans.

🔹 Policy Update:

• The government insists that only those without legal documents will be deported.

• Registered Afghan refugees with Proof of Registration (PoR) cards or Afghan Citizen Cards (ACC) are not being targeted.

⚠️ Why It Matters:
The issue is sensitive amid strained Pakistan–Afghanistan relations, rising militancy concerns, and international calls for Pakistan to uphold refugee rights.