Pakistan's government has taken a major step towards cracking down on illegal migrants, announcing that it will expel them starting next month. This decision has raised concerns among the estimated 1.7 million undocumented Afghans living in the country. Pakistan's Interior Minister, Sarfraz Bugti, clarified that the crackdown is not specifically aimed at Afghans but will apply to migrants of all nationalities. However, it is worth noting that the majority of migrants in Pakistan are Afghans. This crackdown comes amidst strained relations between Pakistan and Afghanistan.

The Pakistani government has accused Taliban-allied militants of carrying out attacks in Pakistan and finding shelter in Afghanistan. The government claims that Afghan nationals were responsible for 14 out of 24 suicide attacks in Pakistan since January. However, the spokesperson for the Taliban government, Zabihullah Mujahid, has called Pakistan's plans "unacceptable" and urged the government to reconsider. The government of Pakistan has urged all migrants living in the country illegally to voluntarily return to their countries before the end of October to avoid mass arrest and forced deportation.

Additionally, the government plans to confiscate the property and assets of illegal migrants. They will also establish a special phone line to encourage members of the public to report any information about undocumented migrants, offering rewards for such tips. While Pakistani police have previously been arresting and deporting undocumented Afghans, this crackdown marks a significant shift in immigration policy. It is unusual for such a major policy change to occur during a caretaker government, which is supposed to bridge the gap between National Assembly terms.

However, the government's statement indicates that this new migration policy has been endorsed by Pakistan's political leadership and military. Pakistan has been a haven for Afghan refugees since the Soviet occupation in the 1980s, leading to one of the largest refugee populations globally. Currently, there are approximately 4.4 million Afghans living in Pakistan, with an estimated 1.7 million unregistered. The government of Pakistan has assured that any Afghans who have registered with Pakistani authorities will not be affected by the crackdown. Despite the government's intentions, there are concerns about the feasibility of effectively detaining or expelling such a large number of unregistered Afghan individuals.

Zahid Hussain, a journalist and analyst, is skeptical that the campaign will be successful and believes it may further strain relations between Pakistan and Afghanistan. Pakistan has faced an increase in terrorist attacks across the country, with the Pakistani Taliban claiming responsibility. The government and military have repeatedly warned Afghanistan for providing safe haven to terrorists involved in these attacks. The Pakistan government's move to crack down on illegal migration comes at a time when the Taliban has seized power in Afghanistan and is trying to entice Afghan refugees to return.

Despite the Taliban's efforts, many Afghans continue to stay in Pakistan or hope to migrate to other countries, including the United States. Pakistan's decision to expel undocumented migrants reflects its desire to address security concerns and combat militant activities along the border with Afghanistan. However, the implementation of this policy and its impact on both Pakistani-Afghan relations and the lives of Afghan refugees remain to be seen.