Afghanistan Times
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KABUL – Pakistan has inaugurated three new border crossings to facilitate the swift repatriation of undocumented Afghan nationals facing expulsion, according to officials on Monday. This move is part of the Pakistani government’s initiative to deport undocumented migrants, impacting over a million Afghans. The authorities argue that many of them have been involved in militant activities and crime, an assertion contested by Kabul.
The new border crossings, located in the southwestern Balochistan province, supplement the main crossing in Chaman district. The latter had been dealing with a surge of Afghan refugees opting for voluntary return, prompting the establishment of additional entry points, as reported by Jan Achakzai, the information minister for the provincial caretaker government.
Since the implementation of the new policy in early October, over 280,000 Afghan nationals have left Pakistan voluntarily, as indicated by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). Following the expiration of the deadline for voluntary departure on November 1, Islamabad has initiated round-up operations across the country. This development underscores the ongoing efforts to address the complex challenges posed by migration in the region.
