Pakistan’s decision to impose exit permit fees, amounting to hundreds of dollars per Afghan refugee, has sparked strong criticism from Western diplomats and the United Nations.
In October, Pakistan declared its intention to deport 1.7 million undocumented foreigners, primarily Afghans, by November 1, with charges based on the duration of visa overstays. Notably, individuals returning to Afghanistan are exempt from this fee.
Many Afghans, who sought refuge in Pakistan following the Taliban’s resurgence in 2021, have encountered difficulties obtaining proper documentation, a concern highlighted by groups like Amnesty International. Despite not being a party to the Refugee Convention, Pakistan has refrained from recognizing Afghans within its borders as refugees.
A senior Pakistani diplomat expressed concern, especially regarding the application of fees to those being relocated on humanitarian grounds. The diplomat noted that charging individuals with humanitarian visas, particularly those identified by the UNHCR as having a humanitarian need, sets a troubling precedent.
While there are initial indications that the government may reconsider the policy, no official discussion on a review has taken place with the BBC. The UNHCR is actively seeking to address the issue, advocating for the exemption of refugees from these requirements. They underscored Pakistan’s commendable history of providing asylum to Afghan refugees and emphasized the need for this tradition to persist.
In response, a spokesperson from Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs defended the imposition of fines, citing similarities with immigration laws in other countries. They asserted that any fines imposed align with Pakistani laws governing visa overstays and immigration violations.
