Pakistan Intensifies Pressure on Afghan Refugees, Risking Persecution

Pakistan’s authorities have escalated pressure on Afghan refugees, compelling them to return to Afghanistan, where they face increasing persecution and dire economic conditions under Taliban rule, human rights groups warn.

Human Rights Watch (HRW) criticized the Pakistani government’s actions, urging officials to halt the coercion of Afghan refugees and allow them to seek protection from potential harm. “Pakistani officials should immediately stop pressuring Afghans to return home and provide those facing expulsion the opportunity to seek safety,” said Elaine Pearson, Asia Director for HRW. She also called on the Taliban to prevent reprisals against returning refugees, particularly women and girls, who continue to face severe restrictions under Taliban policies.

Pakistan has set a March 31 deadline for the deportation of all undocumented foreign nationals, with the majority being Afghan refugees. This marks a significant escalation in the ongoing tension between the two nations, as the Afghan Embassy in Islamabad reported a sharp rise in arrests and forced expulsions in recent weeks.

In response, Pakistani authorities have denied the allegations, stating that they are simply working to facilitate the safe return of refugees. However, the situation remains tense, especially for the 500,000 Afghans who fled the Taliban’s 2021 takeover and have been living in Pakistan without legal documentation. Many of these refugees are still awaiting resettlement to third countries, including the United States.

Pakistan also hosts around 1.45 million registered Afghan refugees, many of whom fled the Soviet occupation of Afghanistan between 1979-1989. The government recently extended the stay of registered refugees until June 2025, assuring they would not face deportation. However, thousands of Afghans awaiting relocation to the U.S. have been left in limbo since January, when President Donald Trump suspended American refugee programs for at least three months.

HRW has raised alarms about the deteriorating human rights situation in Afghanistan, particularly since the Taliban’s resurgence. “Women and girls are banned from secondary education and stripped of basic rights and freedoms,” said the organization. The statement also highlighted the severe risks faced by journalists, human rights defenders, and former government employees under the Taliban’s rule.

Afghans returning to their home country are faced with overwhelming challenges, including Afghanistan’s soaring unemployment, broken healthcare system, and dwindling foreign aid. HRW emphasized that these conditions make return a dangerous prospect for refugees who have already endured hardship.

Earlier this year, Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif approved the March 31 deadline for the deportation of those Afghans still waiting for resettlement. Those with incomplete cases would have to leave unless processed by the countries set to take them in.

HRW's Pearson called on resettling countries to urgently expedite the processing of at-risk Afghan refugees, stating, “Afghanistan is not safe for any forced refugee returns.”

The Pakistani Interior Ministry also announced that Afghan nationals without official residence documents, including holders of Afghan Citizen Cards, must leave Islamabad and Rawalpindi or face deportation. Those holding Proof of Registration (PoR) cards have until June 30 to leave the country.

The International Organization for Migration (IOM) reports that over 800,000 Afghans have either voluntarily returned or been forcibly expelled from Pakistan since 2023. Over 70% of these returnees are women and children, including many girls who will no longer have access to secondary education in Afghanistan, according to HRW.

Human rights groups also accuse Pakistani police of conducting raids, beating detainees, and confiscating refugee documents, including residence permits. Reports suggest that bribes are being demanded in exchange for allowing refugees to stay in the country.

As Pakistan’s deportation efforts continue, the international community faces growing pressure to address the urgent plight of Afghan refugees and ensure their safety and rights are protected.