Pakistan to Extradite Illegal Immigrants by Nov 1, Establishes Deportation Centers Amid Protest

Majority among 1.7 million immigrants are Afghan, given a last warning for voluntary departure following alleged involvement in criminal activities; protests erupt as new visa requirements imposed for border crossing.

Pakistan's Interim Interior Minister Sarfraz Bugti announced a plan for the removal of all undocumented immigrants by Nov. 1, claiming it was necessary due to the involvement of Afghan nationals in crimes, smuggling and attacks.
Pakistan has set up temporary centres for processing the immigrants before deportation and has assured that those leaving voluntarily will be provided necessary assistance.
Pakistan has seen a large number of Afghan refugees since the Soviet invasion of Kabul in 1979, with the number swelling recently after the Taliban's takeover of Afghanistan in August 2021.
Tensions have escalated as tens of thousands of people gathered in the southwestern border town of Chaman to protest against the new requirement of visas for crossing into Afghanistan, replacing previously held special permits.
The UN and a group of former U.S. diplomats have appealed to Pakistan not to deport Afghans awaiting U.S. visas under a program aimed at rescuing at-risk refugees, warning that the crackdown could lead to human rights violations including family separations.