Authorities in Pakistan are preparing to enforce the second phase of their plan to deport hundreds of thousands of Afghan refugees back to Afghanistan, disrupting the lives of families who have called Pakistan home for many years. Reports indicate that around 800,000 Afghans will be forced to leave Pakistan, following the initial expulsion of 541,000 individuals last November.
Rights groups have expressed concerns over the safety of the refugees being sent back to Afghanistan, particularly due to the influence of the Taliban in the region. Amnesty International has criticized Pakistan’s plan, citing violations of refugee and international human rights laws, including the principle of non-refoulement.
The deportation plan consists of three phases, with the ongoing second phase targeting Afghan Citizen Card (ACC) holders. The third phase will focus on individuals with UNHCR-issued proof of registration (PoR) cards. Pakistan highlights internal security and economic concerns as reasons for the mass deportations.
With ties between Islamabad and Kabul strained, the deportation initiative further complicates the relationship between the two neighboring countries. As the situation unfolds, the fate of Afghan refugees in Pakistan remains uncertain.