Afghanistan Peace CampaignPakistan’s Ministry of Interior has also issued a statement saying that efforts to repatriate undocumented foreign nationals have been intensified.
A number of Afghan refugees residing in Pakistan say that the forced deportation of Afghan migrants from Islamabad and Rawalpindi has intensified.
They once again called on the Islamic Emirate and organizations defending refugee rights to take urgent and practical steps to address the challenges faced by Afghan refugees in Pakistan.
Atiqullah Mansoor, an Afghan refugee in Pakistan, told TOLOnews: “Arrests are continuing across all parts of Pakistan, but they are more severe in Rawalpindi and Islamabad. A large number of Afghan refugees are voluntarily ready to return to their country, but they are complaining about the limited assistance from UNHCR.”
Shabana, another Afghan refugee in Pakistan, said: “The arrests and forced deportations have negatively impacted the business and personal affairs of Afghan refugees. Once again, I call on the Afghan interim government and international organizations to recognize that voluntary repatriation is in the interest of both countries.”
Amid growing pressure on refugees, Pakistan’s Ministry of Interior has also issued a statement saying that efforts to repatriate undocumented foreign nationals have been intensified. The ministry added that since April 1, more than 216,000 undocumented migrants have been returned from Pakistan to their respective countries.
The Pakistani Ministry of Interior once again urged all undocumented foreign nationals, including Afghan citizens, to leave the country voluntarily.
The ministry’s statement as reported by PTV, reads: “Since the beginning of this phase, a substantial number of undocumented foreigners have been repatriated. The ministry reported that 216,103 illegal foreigners have been sent back to their respective countries since April 1st. This recent surge is part of a broader, ongoing campaign that initiated in October 2023.” The statement also said: “The Ministry reiterated its advice to all illegal foreigners, including Afghan nationals, to leave Pakistan voluntarily.”
Jumakhān Pouya, a refugee rights activist, told TOLOnews: “It is expected that international institutions will persuade the Pakistani government—based on international legal frameworks, ethical standards, and global commitments—to refrain from deporting individuals at risk, including Afghan refugees.”
Previously, the Ministry of Refugees and Repatriation reported that since the return of the Islamic Emirate to power, more than 5.97 million Afghan citizens have returned to Afghanistan from neighboring countries.