QUETTA: A constitutional petition has been filed in the Balochistan High Court challenging the ongoing deportation of Afghan refugees living illegally in the province.
The petition, submitted by Advocate Nazir Agha, requests a six-month extension for the repatriation deadline of Afghan nationals.
The petitioner argued that the forced expulsion of Afghan residents violates international laws.
The court has scheduled a hearing on the petition for September 18.
It is noteworthy that after the voluntary repatriation deadline expired on September 1, authorities across Balochistan launched a crackdown, carrying out door-to-door operations to remove Afghan refugees residing without legal documentation.
Pakistan has hosted millions of Afghan refugees for more than four decades, making it one of the largest refugee-hosting nations in the world.
Pakistan Balochistan News
The first major influx began after the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan in 1979, followed by subsequent waves during periods of civil conflict, Taliban rule, and recent instability.
At various times, the registered Afghan refugee population in Pakistan has exceeded 1.4 million, with additional unregistered migrants estimated in the hundreds of thousands.
Many Afghan nationals reside primarily in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Balochistan, and urban centers like Karachi and Islamabad.
Pakistan has provided long-term assistance, including Proof of Registration (PoR) cards and access to basic services.
However, ongoing security, economic, and political challenges have led the government to periodically review its refugee policy.
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In recent years, authorities have introduced stricter regulations and set deadlines for voluntary repatriation.
