ISLAMABAD — Officials reported on Monday that Pakistan is considering deporting Afghan refugees who are waiting for relocation unless their cases are processed quickly by the governments of host countries.
Many Afghans fled to Pakistan following the Taliban’s takeover in 2021, with applications submitted for resettlement in the United States through a special program aimed at individuals endangered due to their association with the American government, media, and various organizations. However, approximately 20,000 Afghans now find themselves in a state of uncertainty in Pakistan, as U.S. President Donald Trump halted refugee programs last month.
The Trump administration has also announced a suspension of the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program starting January 27 for a minimum of three months, heightening fears among Pakistani officials regarding Afghan refugees.
According to two security officials who requested anonymity due to the sensitive nature of the matter, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif determined that Afghan refugees would be sent back to Afghanistan unless their resettlement cases are expedited. They indicated that a deadline of March 31 has been established for the expulsion of Afghan refugees specifically from Islamabad and the nearby Rawalpindi area to facilitate their deportation.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Pakistan has not issued an immediate comment regarding these developments.
The prospect of forced deportations has caused significant panic among Afghan nationals who fear for their safety if returned to Afghanistan. Ahmad Shah, associated with a group advocating for Afghan refugees seeking resettlement in the U.S., expressed that recent decisions by Pakistan arrive at an especially challenging juncture for Afghan refugees, who already face emotional trauma and distress.
Shah urged Pakistan to demand clarity from the United States and other countries about their timelines for processing these relocation cases. Khalid Khan, an Afghan national waiting for resettlement to the U.S. since 2023, pleaded with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to avoid deportation. He indicated that some Afghans are considering relocating within Pakistan to evade potential arrest and called on host countries to hasten their resettlement processes.
Another Afghan refugee residing in Islamabad with his family, who chose to remain anonymous due to fears of Taliban retribution and possible arrest by Pakistani authorities, prodded Trump to reinstate the refugee program “in the name of humanity.”
In addition to the individuals currently in Pakistan, around 1.45 million Afghan nationals are registered with the UNHCR as refugees, although their status has been extended until June. Since November 2023, Pakistan has intensified its scrutiny of foreign nationals lacking the proper documentation, resulting in approximately 800,000 Afghans opting to return to their home country voluntarily or facing deportation amid criticism from UN entities, human rights advocates, and the Taliban.
The two officials stated that this crackdown is expected to persist in the coming months. Amnesty International previously voiced concerns regarding “allegations of arbitrary detention and harassment of Afghan refugees and asylum seekers by law enforcement agencies in Islamabad.”
