In a sharp escalation of Pakistan’s nationwide crackdown on undocumented migrants, authorities in Quetta have ordered the eviction of Afghan refugees from rented homes and commercial properties within a week. Landlords who fail to comply risk legal consequences.
The directive, issued by Deputy Commissioner Mansoor Ahmad, was reported by local media on Thursday, October 16. Property owners in Quetta, the capital of Balochistan province, have been given a strict seven-day deadline to enforce the order.
This move comes as tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan intensify, following a recent exchange of fire between Pakistani forces and Taliban fighters at the Spin Boldak border crossing. Although a 48-hour ceasefire has since been declared, the pressure on Afghan nationals inside Pakistan continues to mount.
The eviction push aligns with Islamabad’s broader policy to expel undocumented foreigners by the September 30 deadline, particularly targeting Afghan refugees. The government has cited national security concerns, noting that some Afghan individuals were linked to recent terrorist incidents, either by direct involvement or through support roles.
Authorities have accelerated the process in response to deteriorating bilateral relations and escalating security threats, with Balochistan—bordering Afghanistan—emerging as a key focus of enforcement.
