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.

The United Nations Special Rapporteur on Afghanistan has expressed deep concern over the detention of two Radio Begum employees and called for their immediate release.

Richard Bennett also urged for an end to the harassment and arbitrary detention of journalists by the Taliban. Bennett emphasized the importance of releasing the Radio Begum employees and condemned the harassment and arbitrary detentions of journalists and media workers, stating that such actions have “devastated the civic space in Afghanistan.”

Radio Begum was shut down on Tuesday by the Taliban’s Ministry of Information and Culture, citing multiple charges, including airing programs for an overseas television network and “violating the terms and conditions of its license.”

Radio Begum also reported the confiscation of some of its equipment and stated that two of its employees had been arrested.

The closure of Radio Begum and the detention of its staff have sparked widespread reactions, with international organizations advocating for the unconditional release of the employees and the reversal of the ban on the radio station, which primarily caters to women.

The continued crackdown on independent media in Afghanistan has drawn significant global attention. This situation underscores the growing concerns about press freedom and the suppression of women’s voices in the country.

As the international community pressures the Taliban to uphold basic human rights, the case of Radio Begum serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing challenges faced by journalists and media organizations striving to operate in Afghanistan.