The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and the International Organisation for Migration “stand ready” to provide support in registering and managing Afghan nationals, the agencies said on Saturday.
The statement comes amidst the government’s crackdown on illegal immigrants residing across the country.
Earlier this week, the government gave an ultimatum to all undocumented immigrants, including Afghan nationals, to leave Pakistan by October 31, or else risk imprisonment and deportation to their respective countries.
The move had drawn a response from Afghan authorities, with Afghan Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid terming it “unacceptable” while urging authorities to revisit the policy.
In a joint statement, both UN agencies stated they had a “longstanding and strong collaboration” with Pakistan and stood ready to “provide support in developing a comprehensive and sustainable mechanism to register and manage Afghan nationals, including those who may be in need of international protection”.
