Pakistan’s expulsion of Afghan refugees: A Betrayal of History and Human Rights

In early 2025, Pakistan’s decision to expel millions of Afghan refugees has sparked international outcry, with critics arguing that the move endangers not only the refugees themselves but also the broader regional stability and centuries of shared history between the two nations. Pakistan’s expulsion of Afghan refugees, justified by security concerns related to militancy, is a controversial and morally complex decision. While the government claims it is a necessary step to protect national security, the humanitarian consequences cannot be overlooked, especially for vulnerable Afghan women and children.

The Context Behind the Expulsion

For over four decades, Pakistan has been home to millions of Afghan refugees, who fled conflict and violence in their homeland, particularly after the Soviet invasion in the 1980s and the resurgence of the Taliban in 2021. Pakistan’s expulsion of Afghan refugees marks the culmination of a tense and deteriorating relationship between the two countries, exacerbated by accusations from Pakistan that the Afghan Taliban is harboring militants who target Pakistani territory.

Afghanistan has been a source of tension for Pakistan for years, with cross-border attacks and insurgent groups operating in the border regions. Pakistan’s expulsion of Afghan refugees is framed as an effort to address these security concerns. However, this decision ignores the fact that the refugees are primarily civilians who have fled violence, not combatants or militants.

The Vulnerable: Afghan Women and Children

Among the most vulnerable affected by Pakistan’s expulsion of Afghan refugees are women and children. Afghan women, many of whom have lived in Pakistan for years, face the harsh reality of returning to a country under Taliban rule, where their rights are severely restricted. Since the Taliban’s return to power, women in Afghanistan have been denied access to education, employment, and basic freedoms.

The expulsion of Afghan refugees threatens to undo any progress that women in the Afghan diaspora have made while living in Pakistan. Afghan girls, in particular, face an uncertain future, with the possibility of being forced into early marriage, denied education, and subjected to systemic discrimination. The expulsion forces these women and children back into a dangerous situation, where their rights and safety are at risk.

The Human Cost: Displacement and Displacement

Pakistan’s expulsion of Afghan refugees is not just a political move—it’s a humanitarian crisis. More than 3 million Afghan refugees currently reside in Pakistan, many of whom have been there for decades. According to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), over 800,000 refugees have been issued Afghan Citizen Cards (ACC), which are being used as grounds for deportation. Another 1.3 million Afghan refugees hold Proof of Registration (PoR) cards. The expulsion of these refugees has raised fears of widespread displacement and the collapse of lives that have been built over decades in Pakistan.

Despite the Pakistani government’s insistence that the refugees should return to Afghanistan, the country is ill-equipped to handle such a massive influx. Afghanistan’s already fragile infrastructure, political instability, and ongoing humanitarian crisis make it nearly impossible to support millions of returning refugees. With the Taliban’s repressive rule in full force, returning refugees face the grim prospect of being forced into poverty, violence, and further displacement.

Regional and Global Implications

The expulsion of Afghan refugees will have far-reaching implications beyond the borders of Pakistan. First and foremost, the return of millions of refugees to Afghanistan will put further strain on a country already struggling with economic collapse and humanitarian disaster. The influx of refugees will exacerbate the crisis, leading to overcrowded camps, a lack of food, healthcare, and education, and the displacement of even more people.

Pakistan’s expulsion of Afghan refugees also risks destabilizing the region. The expulsion exacerbates tensions between the two countries, and the broader South Asian region could see increased instability as a result. Pakistan’s decision to remove Afghan refugees might also have wider repercussions for refugees globally, as it sends a signal that countries may prioritize national security over international human rights commitments.

The International Response

The international community has condemned Pakistan’s decision to expel Afghan refugees. Organizations like Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch have criticized the move as a violation of international law, particularly the principle of non-refoulement, which prohibits the forced return of refugees to countries where they face persecution or danger. These organizations argue that Pakistan’s expulsion of Afghan refugees is a clear breach of the refugees’ rights and risks subjecting them to grave harm.

Moreover, the United Nations has warned that Pakistan’s expulsion of Afghan refugees could lead to a further deterioration in Afghanistan’s already dire humanitarian situation. The UNHCR, which has supported Afghan refugees in Pakistan for decades, has called for a reconsideration of the policy, urging Pakistan to provide a more humane solution to the crisis.

Moving Forward: A Call for Compassion and Accountability

Pakistan’s expulsion of Afghan refugees highlights the tension between national security concerns and human rights obligations. While security is undeniably important, the scale of the humanitarian disaster created by this expulsion is immense. The forced deportation of Afghan refugees will push millions of vulnerable people back into a country that is unable to provide for their safety, health, or basic needs.

Rather than expelling refugees, Pakistan and the international community must work together to find a more sustainable and compassionate solution. This includes providing support for Afghan refugees within Pakistan, pushing for a peaceful and inclusive resolution to the conflict in Afghanistan, and ensuring that refugees are not sent back into harm’s way.

Pakistan’s expulsion of Afghan refugees is not just a question of politics—it’s a moral issue. The country must consider the human cost of its actions, not only for the refugees but also for the long-standing history of cooperation and kinship between the Afghan and Pakistani peoples. The international community must hold Pakistan accountable for its treatment of Afghan refugees and push for policies that respect human dignity and international human rights standards.