Islamabad, 12 Oct 2023:Foreign nationals who are residing illegally in Pakistan have been granted a deadline of 19 days for voluntary repatriation to their home countries, according to the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MOIB). Until the 1st of the upcoming month, no action will be implemented against these individuals, including Afghans who are present without legal documentation. However, post the specified deadline, relevant actions will be initiated to facilitate the repatriation of those foreign nationals lacking the necessary legal documents.

The proclamation offers a period of leniency, giving illegal foreign nationals, irrespective of their origin, an opportunity to leave the country autonomously and without facing punitive actions. The initiative is structured to provide a structured and orderly process for individuals to organize their departure without immediate repercussions, ensuring an organized transition and averting potential crises that could arise from abrupt deportations.

However, once the provided timeframe concludes on the 1st of the next month, the authorities will initiate appropriate measures to enforce the repatriation of individuals who have not adhered to the voluntary departure deadline and do not possess the required legal documents to legitimize their stay in Pakistan. The forthcoming actions post-deadline remain unspecified but are anticipated to adhere to the legal frameworks pertinent to international migration and repatriation.