ISLAMABAD — On Wednesday, the U.N. refugee and migration agencies voiced their apprehension regarding Pakistan’s recent decision to deport a significant number of Afghan refugees who are currently awaiting relocation to the United States and other destinations.
The refugee agency, UNHCR, along with the International Organization for Migration (IOM), issued a statement requesting clarification from the Pakistani government. Last week, authorities announced that Afghans would be sent back to Afghanistan unless their relocation cases were expedited by the countries that had committed to accepting them.
Approximately 20,000 Afghans had received approval for resettlement in the U.S. under a program designed to assist individuals at risk due to their affiliations with the American government, media outlets, aid organizations, and human rights groups. These individuals had fled to Pakistan following the Taliban takeover in 2021, joining the tens of thousands of others who sought refuge across the border.
However, their hopes for resettlement were dashed when the U.S. halted its refugee programs the previous month.
A non-return advisory from UNHCR has been effective since 2021, recommending a halt to the forced repatriation of Afghan nationals from any country, irrespective of their documentation status, according to the joint statement from UNHCR and IOM.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif of Pakistan recently approved measures to evict undocumented Afghans from Islamabad and Rawalpindi, setting a deadline of March 31 for their relocation.
UNHCR and IOM have expressed heightened concern for Afghan individuals who may face dangers if returned to their home country, particularly ethnic and religious minorities, women and girls, journalists, human rights advocates, and professionals in the arts, including musicians.
Since the beginning of 2025, there has been an alarming increase in the apprehension of Afghan nationals in the capital and surrounding areas, resulting in reports of various categories of documented and undocumented individuals being detained.
The U.S. government had announced a temporary suspension of the Refugee Admissions Program starting January 27, leaving many Afghans disheartened, as they had hoped to travel to the U.S. shortly thereafter.
Afghans residing in Pakistan have found themselves largely in hiding since 2023, prompted by an intensification of enforcement actions against those lacking proper documentation. Estimates suggest that around 800,000 Afghans have either voluntarily returned or been deported during this period, despite objections from U.N. agencies, advocacy groups, and the Taliban.
In addition to the thousands of Afghans awaiting relocation in Pakistan, approximately 1.45 million Afghan individuals are registered as refugees with UNHCR, and their residency status has recently been extended until June.
In their statement, UNHCR and IOM urged the Pakistani government to carry out any relocation efforts in accordance with human rights regulations, including the legal rights of individuals holding Proof of Registration (POR) and Afghan Citizen Card (ACC), many of whom have lived in the country for an extended duration.
“I acknowledge Pakistan’s noteworthy history of hosting refugees and saving countless lives, which is greatly valued,” commented Philippa Candler, the UNHCR representative in Pakistan.
Mio Sato, Chief of Mission for IOM, expressed the organization’s commitment to collaborating with the Pakistani government and UNHCR to create a systematic approach for the registration, management, and assessment of Afghan nationals in the country. She noted, “This initiative aims to provide tailored solutions, including international protection for those in dire need and avenues for Afghan individuals with enduring family and socioeconomic ties in Pakistan.”
