Pakistan has suspended the deportation of undocumented Afghan refugees following UNHCR chief Filippo Grandi’s trip to the country and meetings with authorities.
UNHCR announced the decision in a statement on Tuesday, July 9th, quoting Grandi’s appreciation for suspending the “Illegal Foreigners Repatriation Plan” and seeking assurance that it would remain on hold.
Meanwhile, a senior Pakistani official also confirmed to Voice of America (VOA) that following the UNHCR chief’s visit, Pakistan has halted the deportation of Afghans. However, the official did not specify the duration of the suspension.
“Our message to Grandi was that the international community should fulfill its responsibility for the upkeep and repatriation of Afghan refugees. It’s a shared responsibility and shouldn’t be left to Pakistan to lift the entire burden,” the Pakistani official told VOA.
The head of the UN refugee agency concluded his three-day trip to Pakistan on Tuesday, during which he engaged with Pakistani authorities to seek “just and durable solutions” for over 3 million Afghan refugees and their host communities.
The UNHCR chief also traveled to Peshawar and Haripur in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, where he met with Afghan refugees in urban settings and a refugee village.
“People he met shared a message of anxiety regarding their situation, but also of their desire to contribute to their communities in Pakistan, as well as eventually in Afghanistan,” according to the UNHCR statement.
According to the UNHCR statement, during his discussions with Pakistani authorities, Grandi emphasized the need for a timely extension of Proof of Registration (PoR) cards, a crucial identity document held by over 1.3 million Afghans.
The statement additionally highlights that the UNHCR chief offered to facilitate a dialogue later this year, bringing together key stakeholders to “develop a package of solutions” that benefits both the Afghan population in Pakistan and the host country.
Last November, Pakistan initiated a crackdown on all foreigners illegally staying in the country, attributing a rise in security incidents to individuals residing among refugee populations. The move primarily targeted nearly 1.7 million Afghan refugees and asylum-seekers who lack legal documentation.
Since then, according to the UN, over 639,000 Afghans, mostly women and children, have been deported to Taliban-controlled Afghanistan. Many had initially fled due to Taliban retaliation and persecution following their return to power in August 2021.
Pakistan has hosted millions of refugees from Afghanistan for decades, fleeing conflict, persecution, and unemployment at home. Currently, there are around 3.2 million Afghan refugees in Pakistan, with approximately 1.3 million registered and another 880,000 holding legal status to stay.
“In the meantime, as Pakistan continues to host some 3 million Afghans, all solutions need to be explored in addition to voluntary repatriation, including third-country resettlement and longer-term solutions within Pakistan,” concluded the UNHCR statement.
