ISLAMABAD — Officials in Pakistan have issued a warning to Afghan refugees awaiting relocation, stating that they may face deportation if their cases are not processed promptly by the host countries. This announcement comes as tens of thousands of Afghans sought refuge in Pakistan following the Taliban’s takeover in 2021. Many of these individuals have been approved for resettlement in the United States under a program designed to protect those at risk due to their affiliations with the American government, media, NGOs, and human rights organizations. However, after the recent suspension of U.S. refugee programs by the Trump administration, approximately 20,000 Afghans find themselves in a precarious situation in Pakistan.
The Trump administration’s decision to suspend the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program beginning January 27 for at least three months has raised alarms among Pakistani officials. In light of these circumstances, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif made the decision last week to initiate the deportation of refugees back to Afghanistan unless their cases are processed expeditiously. This information was shared by two security officials who preferred to remain unnamed due to restrictions on speaking to the media.
The officials also indicated that March 31 has been designated as a deadline for Afghan refugees living in the capital, Islamabad, and the adjacent city of Rawalpindi, as preparations for their potential deportation are underway. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Pakistan has yet to respond publicly to these developments.
The announcement regarding potential deportations has understandably created anxiety among Afghan nationals, many of whom are fearful of returning to Afghanistan. Khalid Khan, an Afghan who has been awaiting relocation to the United States since 2023, has implored Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to reconsider this action. He noted that some Afghans are considering fleeing Islamabad to other cities to avoid arrest and has called on host countries to expedite the processing of their cases.
Another Afghan refugee living in Islamabad, who chose to remain anonymous due to fears of retaliation from the Taliban and potential arrest in Pakistan, has appealed to Trump to restore the refugee program, advocating for humanitarian considerations. Beyond those waiting in Pakistan, around 1.45 million Afghan refugees are registered with the UNHCR, with their residency permits extended until June.
In November 2023, Pakistan commenced a crackdown on undocumented foreigners, with approximately 800,000 Afghans having either voluntarily returned or faced deportation since then, despite pushback from UN agencies, human rights organizations, and the Taliban regime. The officials mentioned that this heightened enforcement action will persist over the coming months.
Amnesty International recently expressed grave concerns regarding “allegations of arbitrary detentions and harassment of Afghan refugees and asylum seekers by law enforcement” in Islamabad, underscoring the ongoing struggles faced by these vulnerable individuals.
