Pakistan has confirmed that it is charging an $830 (approx Rs237,000) exit fee to undocumented refugees who want to leave the country, reported BBC.
The fee, which applies to individuals who arrived without a visa, has sparked outrage among human rights groups and humanitarian organizations.
In October, Pakistan announced its decision to deport 1.7 million undocumented foreigners, primarily Afghans, if they failed to depart by 1 November.
The abrupt deadline and steep exit fee have placed an undue burden on vulnerable refugees, many of whom fled Afghanistan seeking refuge from the Taliban regime.
Those with expired visas will face additional charges based on the duration of their overstay.
The decision to impose an exit fee has been met with fierce criticism from Amnesty International and other human rights organizations.
They argue that the fee further jeopardizes the safety and well-being of refugees, many of whom have faced significant delays in obtaining proper documentation.
Pakistan, which is not a signatory to the Refugee Convention, does not recognize any Afghans residing within its borders as refugees.
This stance has been a source of ongoing tension between Pakistan and the international community, which has repeatedly urged the Pakistani government to uphold its humanitarian obligations.
A senior diplomat in Pakistan expressed concern over the application of the exit fee to refugees seeking relocation on humanitarian grounds.
They noted that while visa overstay penalties are common practice in many countries, targeting individuals granted humanitarian visas sets a troubling precedent.
The diplomat suggested that the Pakistani government may be considering a policy review, a move that has been welcomed by humanitarian organizations.
However, Pakistani authorities have not publicly acknowledged any plans to revise the exit fee policy.
The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has called for an immediate resolution to the issue, urging the Pakistani authorities to exempt refugees from the exit fee requirements.
"The Government and people of Pakistan have a commendable, decades-long history of providing asylum and protection to Afghan refugees. This needs to continue," stated a UNHCR spokesperson.
In response to the mounting criticism, a spokesperson for Pakistan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs defended the exit fee, asserting that it aligns with the country's immigration laws.
They drew parallels to immigration policies in other countries, including the United Kingdom, which impose fines and penalties for visa overstays.
