Pakistan Forces Mass Deportation of Afghan Refugees

More than 19,500 Afghans have been expelled from Pakistan this month as part of a larger drive to deport undocumented individuals ahead of a new deadline. The country is witnessing a humanitarian challenge as families who have lived in Pakistan for decades are forced to return to Afghanistan.

Pakistan has intensified its efforts to expel Afghan refugees, with over 19,500 Afghans deported just this month. According to the United Nations, this is part of a larger trend that could see upwards of 80,000 individuals leave ahead of a looming deadline on April 30. Pakistani officials state they can no longer accommodate the high number of undocumented Afghan refugees and those with temporary residency, leading to daily deportations of 700 to 800 families.

During negotiations in Kabul, Pakistani Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar engaged with Taliban officials, but his counterpart Amir Khan Muttaqi voiced grave concerns regarding the mass deportations. Many Afghans expelled from Pakistan express deep frustration, having been born in the country after their families fled conflict, with some noting their deep integration into Pakistani society.

The decades-long presence of Afghans in Pakistan is notable, with the UN estimating over 3.5 million living there, many of whom are believed to be undocumented. The influx of Afghan refugees is said to strain Pakistan’s national security and public services, prompting the government to accelerate its deportation efforts.

Recent reports indicate that the border areas have faced an increase in clashes, with Pakistan attributing it to militants operating from Afghanistan, a charge the Taliban denies. Prior to the new deportation deadline, Pakistan extended its deadline for undocumented Afghans, giving families a brief reprieve.

At the Torkham border, the chaos of deportation is palpable; many individuals and families recount their lifetimes spent in Pakistan. Sayed Rahman, a second-generation refugee, lamented, "I lived my whole life in Pakistan... What am I supposed to do now?" Others express deep concern about the stringent conditions for Afghan women under Taliban rule, as educational opportunities are starkly limited.

As families navigate through the border, they are subjected to separation and strict scrutiny, with reports of elderly individuals being transported on stretchers back to Afghanistan. After waiting in temporary shelters, deportees receive minimal financial assistance from the Afghan authorities but face daunting challenges adjusting to life in their homeland.

In a staggering twist, some deportees complain about the limitations imposed on their belongings during the return process, a concern that has drawn criticism from rights advocates. Amidst unrelenting heat and insufficient resources at the crossing, many families struggle against adversity, their fate tangled in the political strife between the two nations.

This mass deportation places unprecedented pressure on Afghanistan's already fragile infrastructure, raising serious concerns amid an economic crisis affecting nearly 45 million people. Bakht Jamal Gohar, the Taliban's head of refugee affairs, acknowledged the challenges presented by such a large influx of returnees, noting that many left Afghanistan decades ago and have lost everything.

As these deportations continue to unfold, the emotional toll of separation and uncertainty looms heavy for many, leaving recent arrivals grappling with their uncertain futures.