Pakistani authorities have intensified arrests of Afghan refugees in Islamabad and Rawalpindi. Many Afghans in Pakistan without documentation have been detained, while others face orders to leave the cities. The Afghan Embassy in Islamabad called it an effort to expel all Afghan refugees from the country.
Government Justifies Actions
Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry dismissed these claims. Officials say they are facilitating the return of Afghans to their homeland. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif approved a March 31 deadline to deport Afghans awaiting resettlement in third countries. If host governments fail to process their cases quickly, deportations will proceed.
Hundreds of Thousands Already Expelled
Since 2023, over 800,000 Afghans have left Pakistan, either by force or voluntarily. The International Organization for Migration reported that deportations are accelerating. Authorities in Islamabad claim these measures target only those without legal status.
Afghan Embassy Condemns Short Timeline
The Afghan Embassy issued a strong statement against the crackdown. It criticized Pakistan for failing to formally communicate its decision to Kabul. The embassy warned that expulsion is imminent for all Afghans in Pakistan, even those legally registered with the UN refugee agency (UNHCR).
Fears for Afghan Refugees in Limbo
More than 500,000 Afghans fled to Pakistan after the Taliban took control in 2021. Many await resettlement in Western countries. However, Pakistan’s policy shift leaves thousands in uncertainty. An additional 1.45 million registered Afghan refugees now fear an eventual mass deportation.
Conflicting Policies on Afghan Refugees
In July 2024, Pakistan extended the stay of registered Afghan refugees until June 2025. Officials assured that those with UNHCR status would not face deportation. The recent crackdown contradicts that extension, raising concerns over a complete policy reversal.
Pressure on the International Community
The Afghan Embassy urged Pakistan to halt deportations, particularly for refugees awaiting U.S. resettlement. However, a recent suspension of U.S. refugee programs under President Donald Trump has worsened their situation. With no clear pathway forward, many Afghans face an uncertain fate.
Advocacy Groups Call for Urgent Action
Afghan advocacy organizations are appealing to Pakistani authorities. They demand temporary protection for those awaiting relocation. Ahmad Shah, a member of an Afghan rights group, urged Pakistan to let Afghans stay in Islamabad. He warned that forced relocations would prevent refugees from accessing foreign embassies to complete resettlement applications.
Pakistan’s Final Stand
Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry defended its actions, saying it has already done its part for Afghan refugees. Officials argue that Afghanistan must now ensure the reintegration of returnees. Reports suggest that Pakistan plans a complete deportation of all Afghan refugees in the near future.
The situation remains tense as deportations continue. With the March 31 deadline approaching, Afghan refugees in Pakistan are running out of time and options.
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