KABUL, AFGHANISTAN — The UN refugee and migration agencies on Wednesday raised alarm over Pakistan’s decision to deport thousands of Afghan refugees who are currently awaiting resettlement in the United States and other countries.
The agencies are seeking urgent clarification from Pakistani authorities following last week’s announcement by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, which would see refugees without proper documentation evicted from Islamabad and Rawalpindi by March 31 unless they are quickly relocated.
This includes around 20,000 who are approved for resettlement to the U.S. under special visas for at-risk Afghans due to their work with American organizations.
However, their relocation has stalled due to US President Donald Trump’s pause in U.S. refugee programs.
The U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and the International Organization for Migration (IOM) issued a joint statement expressing deep concern, urging Pakistan to reconsider its decision.
They pointed out that since 2021, a UNHCR advisory has been in place calling for the suspension of forced returns of Afghan nationals, regardless of their legal status, due to the risks they may face upon return.
The agencies specifically highlighted the vulnerable groups among the refugees, including ethnic and religious minorities, women and children, journalists, human rights activists, and those in artistic professions. These individuals, they warn, are at particular risk of persecution in Afghanistan, where the Taliban regime has been accused of human rights abuses against such groups.
Since January 1, there has been a significant increase in arrests of Afghan nationals, with reports of individuals being detained regardless of their documentation status. These developments have created a climate of fear and distress among the Afghan refugee community, many of whom have been living in hiding since Pakistan began a crackdown on “illegal immigrants” in November 2023.
The suspension of the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program, which was announced in late January and is set to last for at least three months, has further complicated matters for Afghan refugees who had hoped for swift relocation.
While there are an estimated 800,000 Afghans in Pakistan who have been deported or returned voluntarily since the crackdown began, an additional 1.45 million Afghan refugees are registered with the UNHCR and have had their stay in Pakistan extended until June.
UNHCR and IOM are urging Pakistan to ensure that any relocation measures follow human rights standards and due process, particularly for those holding Proof of Registration (POR) and Afghan Citizen Cards (ACC).
Both organizations have emphasized the importance of protecting the legal rights of these refugees and are working with the Pakistani government to establish a proper framework for managing the relocation process.
