Pakistan has officially confirmed the imposition of an $830 fee on undocumented refugees wishing to depart the country. This exit fee is applicable to those individuals who entered without a visa. In October, Pakistan had announced the potential deportation of 1.7 million undocumented foreigners from the country if they failed to leave by November 1. The majority of these individuals are Afghans, including a substantial number who fled Afghanistan amid the Taliban’s resurgence in 2021.
Those with expired visas will face charges based on the duration of their overstays. It’s important to note that the exit fee does not extend to individuals returning to Afghanistan. Many Afghans who sought refuge in Pakistan following the fall of Kabul to the Taliban have encountered difficulties in obtaining proper documentation, as highlighted by organizations such as Amnesty International.
Refugee Convention
Pakistan, not being a signatory to the Refugee Convention, explicitly denies recognizing Afghans within its borders as refugees. A senior diplomat in Pakistan expressed concern about the fee, particularly when applied to individuals being relocated on humanitarian grounds. They pointed out that while many countries impose penalties for visa overstays, charging those with humanitarian visas, especially those identified by the UNHCR as having a humanitarian need, sets an alarming precedent.
The diplomat mentioned early indications of a potential policy review, which they view positively. The UNHCR has acknowledged the issue and is actively working to find a resolution. Advocates are pushing for an exemption of refugees from these requirements, highlighting Pakistan’s commendable history of granting asylum to Afghan refugees.
A spokesperson from Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs justified the fines, stating that Pakistani laws align with immigration laws in other countries, including the United Kingdom, which impose penalties for visa overstays or violations. The spokesperson emphasized that any fines imposed by Pakistan are in accordance with its laws.