Pakistan on Monday clarified that its “sovereign domestic laws” guide the implementation of the Illegal Foreigners Repatriation Plan (IFRP) for all illegal residents.
The Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights concerns regarding the repatriation of illegal foreigners in Pakistan were addressed by the country. According to a statement of Foreign Office Spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch, the plan applies to all illegal foreigners irrespective of their nationality, while legal foreign nationals will remain unaffected. Emphasizing Pakistan’s commitment to protecting vulnerable populations, Baloch highlighted the country’s history of hosting millions of Afghan refugees over the past four decades.
Pakistan called on the international community to enhance efforts to address protracted refugee situations by prioritizing durable solutions. The caretaker government has established “holding centers” to facilitate the expulsion of aliens, encouraging voluntary returns before the November 1 deadline.
Caretaker Interior Minister Sarfraz Bugti noted that comprehensive geo-mapping has been completed to locate illegal foreigners, with provincial governments and committees at various administrative levels supporting the operation.
