The Embassy of Afghanistan in Pakistan has raised concerns regarding recent developments affecting Afghan refugees in Islamabad and the neighboring city of Rawalpindi. In a statement issued on Wednesday, the embassy reported that Afghan nationals in these cities are facing increased police actions, including arrests and forced relocations, amid a backdrop of escalating tensions between the two nations.
The embassy highlighted that Afghan citizens have not received any formal notification about these measures, which critics argue lack transparency. According to the embassy, officials from Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs have indicated a comprehensive plan to deport Afghan refugees not only from Islamabad and Rawalpindi but from across the entire country in the foreseeable future. This situation has become increasingly complex due to geopolitical dynamics, with Islamabad accusing Kabul of not doing enough to prevent cross-border violence.
In the past year, Pakistan had declared that unauthorized Afghan refugees would not be permitted to reside in the capital or Rawalpindi. This measure was reportedly prompted by claims that some Afghan nationals participated in protest rallies organized by the opposition Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party. Furthermore, Pakistan launched a much-criticized repatriation initiative aimed at returning millions of Afghan nationals, encompassing individuals regardless of their legal status within the country.
The Afghan diaspora in Pakistan is substantial, with estimates suggesting that over 2.5 million Afghans reside in Pakistan, approximately half of whom are registered with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). Pakistani authorities have extended residency permissions for registered refugees until June 2025, assuring that those individuals will not face arrest or deportation prior to the expiration of this extension.
In a strategic plan outlined by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s office last month, the government articulated a three-phase process for the return of Afghan citizens to their homeland. The Afghan embassy expressed profound apprehension about the expedited removal of Afghan refugees and criticized Pakistan’s unilateral approach.
As of now, Pakistan has set a deadline of March 31 to facilitate the relocation of Afghan refugees from Islamabad and Rawalpindi. This development is significant, especially considering that many Afghans have fled to Pakistan in response to changing political circumstances, with a substantial number awaiting resettlement in third countries, particularly the United States. However, many remain in a state of uncertainty as refugee programmes have faced recent delays.
As the situation evolves, the Afghan community in Pakistan continues to seek a stable resolution while emphasizing the need for cooperative dialogue between the neighboring countries. The ongoing discourse surrounding Afghan refugees highlights the broader humanitarian and geopolitical issues at play in the region.
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