UN raises concerns over continued deportation of Afghan refugees from Pakistan

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and the International Organization for Migration (IOM) have expressed concern over Pakistan’s plan for the mass expulsion of Afghan refugees and have called for clarification regarding the deportation of these migrants.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, February 6, 2025, the organizations urged Pakistan to clarify the process of expelling Afghan migrants and refugees from the country.

The statement from the UNHCR and IOM highlighted that since the beginning of January 2025, there has been an increase in the arrest of Afghan citizens in Islamabad and Rawalpindi, with some Afghans holding residence permits also being detained.

Last week, Pakistan’s Prime Minister, Shehbaz Sharif, announced a multi-phase plan for the expulsion of Afghan migrants, including both legal refugees and those with residence permits, as well as undocumented migrants and those awaiting resettlement in the United States or European countries.

Following the suspension of foreign aid from the United States and the resettlement of Afghan refugees, Reuters reported, citing a refugee advocacy group and a U.S. official, that a decision by Donald Trump led to the suspension of flights for more than 40,000 Afghan citizens holding Special Immigrant Visas (SIVs).

However, some Afghan migrants in Pakistan have criticized this action by the Trump administration and have called for international community support.

According to Pakistani officials, there are currently 1.45 million Afghan migrants living legally in the country, and their residence permits have been extended until June.

The situation surrounding the expulsion of Afghan migrants in Pakistan raises significant concerns about the humanitarian impact of such a decision. Given the large number of Afghan migrants currently residing in Pakistan, the international community must play an active role in supporting both Pakistan and Afghanistan to ensure that the rights and safety of these migrants are protected.

Furthermore, there needs to be clear communication and cooperation between Pakistan, Afghanistan, and international organizations to address the challenges of migration and refugee protection. This situation serves as a reminder of the critical importance of upholding international human rights standards and providing adequate assistance to vulnerable populations displaced by conflict.