The Afghanistan Embassy in Pakistan has issued a warning that the Pakistani government plans to expel all Afghan refugees from Islamabad and Rawalpindi. The embassy stated that Afghan nationals in these cities have been subjected to arrests, searches, and forced relocations by local authorities, as reported by Al Jazeera.
Relations between the two countries have been worsening, with Pakistan accusing Afghanistan of failing to curb cross-border attacks.
“This process of detaining Afghans began without any formal announcement and was not communicated to the Afghan Embassy,” the statement said.
Pakistani officials later confirmed that there is a definitive plan to deport Afghan refugees not only from Islamabad and Rawalpindi but from the entire country.
Thousands of Afghan Refugees Have Already Returned
According to the International Organization for Migration (IOM), over 18,000 Afghan nationals returned to Afghanistan from Islamabad and Rawalpindi between January 1 and January 31.
- 9,846 Afghans returned during the second half of January alone.
- Since September 2023, a total of 824,568 Afghan refugees have left Pakistan.
- Refugees mainly returned via Torkham, Chaman, Ghulam Khan, Badini, and Berramcha border crossings.
Reasons Behind the Mass Exodus
The IOM report highlights the main reasons why Afghan refugees are leaving:
- 78% feared arrest by the Pakistani police.
- 34% could not afford rent and were struggling financially.
Additionally, 46% of returnees were aged 18-59, while 30% were children aged 5-17.
Rising Uncertainty for Afghan Refugees in Pakistan
With no formal announcement but confirmed deportation plans, Afghan refugees in Pakistan are facing increasing pressure. The Pakistani government has yet to provide clarity on how or when the full-scale deportation will take place.
This mass exodus raises serious concerns about human rights, refugee safety, and regional stability as thousands of Afghans return to an uncertain future.