Pakistan has announced that it will charge an $830 fee to undocumented refugees who want to leave the country. This newly implemented exit fee applies to individuals who arrived in Pakistan without a visa. The government of Pakistan previously declared that it would deport 1.7 million undocumented foreigners if they did not leave the country by November 1st. The majority of these undocumented individuals are Afghan nationals, including hundreds of thousands who fled Afghanistan when the Taliban regained control in 2021.
Undocumented refugees with expired visas will be charged fees based on the duration of their overstays. It is important to note that this exit fee does not apply to individuals traveling back to Afghanistan. Many Afghan refugees who arrived in Pakistan following the Taliban’s takeover of Kabul have struggled to obtain proper documentation, leading to significant delays, as reported by Amnesty International and other organizations.
It is crucial to highlight that Pakistan is not a party to the Refugee Convention and does not recognize Afghans living within its borders as refugees. This recent decision to impose an exit fee on these individuals, especially those who are being relocated on humanitarian grounds, has raised concerns among various stakeholders. According to a senior diplomat in Pakistan, this practice sets a dangerous precedent, particularly for refugees considered to have a humanitarian need by the UNHCR. The diplomat further mentioned that there are indications of a potential review of the exit fee policy, which they strongly encourage.
Despite these concerns, the Pakistan authorities have not engaged in discussions with the BBC regarding the possibility of reviewing the policy. However, the UNHCR has expressed its commitment to resolving the issue and is actively working with the government of Pakistan. The UNHCR is advocating for exemptions for refugees from these exit fees and visa overstay fines. The UNHCR acknowledges Pakistan’s commendable history of providing asylum and protection to Afghan refugees for decades and emphasizes the need for this support to continue.
Pakistan’s foreign ministry spokesperson defended the exit fee, stating that it is in line with immigration laws and similar fines imposed by other countries such as the United Kingdom. The spokesperson justified the fines as a means to address visa overstays and violations of immigration regulations.
The implementation of an exit fee on undocumented refugees leaving Pakistan has elicited concerns and debates surrounding its impact on vulnerable populations. While efforts are being made to address the issue, it remains crucial to ensure that the rights and wellbeing of refugees, particularly those with humanitarian needs, are protected throughout this process. The international community must work together to find sustainable solutions that prioritize the protection and dignity of all individuals regardless of their legal status.
