Pakistan expels 213 Afghans as expulsion deadline nears

KABUL (Pajhwok): Pakistan has recently expelled 213 Afghan nationals as part of its ongoing campaign against illegal immigrants, says a media report.

A total of 923 Afghan nationals were arrested in Rawalpindi on Thursday, with 213 of them repatriated to Afghanistan, Dawn reported, citing an unnamed source.

The report added that since the launch of the crackdown against illegal foreigners, 923 Afghan nationals have been moved to a refugee holding center near Golra Mor.

Among those detained, 86 had expired visas, 116 held Afghan Citizen Cards (ACC), and 290 possessed Proof of Registration (PoR) cards.

Pakistan has set a March 31 deadline for Afghan nationals to leave the country voluntarily.

However, Afghan nationals holding PoR cards issued by the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) will not be repatriated until June 30.

A senior police official confirmed that ACC holders would be expelled from Rawalpindi and Islamabad before the deadline, but those with PoR cards would be allowed to stay until June 30.

Additionally, Pakistan has ruled out any extension to the March 31 deadline for the expulsion of Afghan nationals residing illegally in the country.

sa