Afghan refugees in Pakistan are facing increasing arrests, searches, and forced relocations as part of a large-scale expulsion campaign, according to the Afghan embassy in Islamabad. On Wednesday (Feb 19), the embassy raised concerns that Afghan nationals, particularly in Islamabad and Rawalpindi, are being detained and ordered to move to other regions of the country without prior notice.

Pakistan is currently carrying out a major operation to repatriate approximately four million Afghan refugees who fled their homeland due to four decades of war and, more recently, after the Taliban regained power in 2021. The Pakistani government has denied accusations of harassment and insists that the removals are part of its 2023 Illegal Foreigners Repatriation Plan. Officials argue that Afghanistan’s interim government must create suitable conditions for returnees to integrate into Afghan society.

Despite these claims, the Afghan embassy in Islamabad reported that Pakistani authorities plan to deport all Afghan nationals soon. The embassy has expressed deep concerns to both Pakistani officials and international organizations, urging a reconsideration of the mass expulsions. Pakistani authorities have stated that only those with valid visas will be permitted to stay in Islamabad and Rawalpindi.

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has noted a sharp increase in deportations from these cities since the beginning of 2024, causing widespread fear among Afghan refugees. Meanwhile, reports indicate that the US office responsible for Afghan resettlement is expected to close by April, potentially preventing up to 200,000 Afghans from finding new homes in the United States. This development further limits the options for Afghan refugees, many of whom remain stranded in Pakistan with an uncertain future.

Disclaimer: This image is taken from Reuters file