Pakistan Confirms Expulsion of Over 80,000 Afghans Since April 1

Pakistan has confirmed the expulsion of over 80,000 Afghan nationals since April 1, 2025, as part of its controversial Illegal Foreigners Repatriation Plan. Launched in late 2023, the plan targets more than three million Afghan nationals living in Pakistan, prompting strong reactions from international rights organizations and Afghan authorities. This large-scale deportation effort is viewed by critics as a “forced deportation,” with particular concern for vulnerable groups like women and children.

Background on the Repatriation Plan

The Pakistani government has set a firm deadline of April 30, 2025, for the repatriation of undocumented Afghan nationals. Pakistani Interior Ministry adviser Talal Chaudhry has warned that no further extensions will be granted, and strict action will be taken against landlords who provide accommodation to illegal migrants. This move is driven by security concerns, as Pakistan alleges that Afghan refugees, particularly those associated with militant groups, contribute to rising criminal activities within its borders.

Humanitarian Concerns Amid Deportations

While Pakistan defends the policy as a necessary security measure, human rights organizations, including the United Nations, have expressed deep concern over the mass expulsions. The International Organization for Migration (IOM) reported that nearly 60,000 Afghans had been deported by early April, with border areas and return destinations facing severe strain. Afghan families, many of whom have lived in Pakistan for decades, are at risk of facing persecution and instability upon their return.

The Impact on Afghan Refugees in Pakistan

Many Afghan nationals, like Akber Khan, a restaurant owner in Peshawar, have lived in Pakistan for generations. Khan, who has family ties and loved ones buried in Pakistan, expressed his reluctance to leave, underscoring the emotional and psychological toll of the expulsion policy. Pakistan’s northwest province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, home to a significant Afghan population, faces unique challenges in the repatriation process, with many refugees returning through illegal channels despite stringent border measures.

Security vs. Human Rights

The debate over the repatriation of Afghans is framed around security concerns. Pakistan argues that expelling Afghan refugees is crucial to curbing the influence of militant groups like the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), which it claims use Afghan territory as a base of operations. However, Kabul has rejected these allegations, calling the policy politically motivated and describing it as forced deportation.

International human rights groups, meanwhile, caution that the mass deportations risk destabilizing the lives of refugees, particularly women and children, who may face heightened vulnerability upon their return to Afghanistan. Pakistan’s claim that the crackdown only targets illegal migrants does little to assuage fears over the broader consequences for the Afghan population in the country.

Diplomatic Efforts Amid the Crisis

The ongoing repatriation process comes at a time of heightened diplomatic tension between Pakistan and Afghanistan. Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar is scheduled to visit Kabul for high-level talks on security, trade, and other bilateral matters. The mass expulsions, however, have complicated these discussions, with Afghanistan accusing Pakistan of using the refugee issue as leverage in political negotiations.

As the April 30 deadline looms, Pakistan’s policy of expelling Afghan refugees is likely to have long-term implications for both national security and human rights. The challenge lies in striking a balance between addressing security concerns and ensuring that the rights of vulnerable individuals are protected. While Pakistan may see this repatriation drive as a necessary step to safeguard its borders, the international community will be watching closely to see how the country navigates the delicate intersection of security, diplomacy, and human rights.