Pakistan Continues Mass Deportation of Undocumented Afghan Refugees

Pakistani officials move forward with mass deportation as part of efforts to send home undocumented Afghan refugees despite international criticism.

On Friday, authorities opened more border centers to speed up the repatriation of tens of thousands of undocumented Afghans. The development comes two days after the deadline to leave or face expulsion expired and ignored pleas to give the plan another chance to be discussed.

Pakistan Expels Undocumented Afghan Refugees

Pakistan Continues Mass Deportation of Undocumented Afghan Refugees

(Photo : Abdul MAJEED / AFP) (ABDUL MAJEED/AFP via Getty Images)
Pakistani officials are moving forward with the mass deportation of undocumented Afghan refugees despite international criticism.

The South Asian country has brushed off calls from the United Nations, rights groups, and Western embassies to reconsider the expulsion of more than a quarter of the 4 million Afghans in the nation. It noted that they had been involved in Islamist militant attacks and crimes that undermined the security of Pakistan.

On Friday, the International Organization for Migration and the UN Children's Fund expressed concern for the safety of children and families that are affected by Pakistan's expulsion. They argued that a humanitarian crisis was unfolding with winter on the horizon, as per Reuters.

The prime minister of Afghanistan's Taliban-led administration, Mullah Hassan Akhund, said that he also had his reservations about the situation. In a video-recorded statement, he said that the problem is completely against all principles and urged Pakistan officials to come and talk face to face.

The deputy commissioner for Khyber district, Abdul Nasir Khan, said that facilities at the main northwestern border crossing of Torkham have been increased three times to address the rising number of returnees. He added that everything is normal now as the returnees no longer have to wait several hours in queues.

Mohammad Ismael Rafi said that he spent three days on the border in Pakistan and that the situation in the area was bad. He added that he had lived in the southwestern Pakistani border town of Chaman, where he had a retail business, for 22 years.

Many of the Afghan refugees in Pakistan fled the Taliban's rule from their home country and are at risk of persecution if they go back home. Pakistani police also warned landlords to avoid renting homes for undocumented refugees, according to CBS News.

Taliban's Rule in Afghanistan

In a post on X, formerly known as Twitter, Pakistan's interior minister said that they would be saying goodbye to 64 Afghan nationals as they begin their journey back home. The tweet included a video that showed a group of Afghans boarding a bus.

The official added that the action is a testament to the South Asian nation's determination to repatriate any individuals residing there without proper documentation. Various videos shared on social media platforms showed bulldozers leveling to the ground mud-made houses of Afghan refugees.

Another Afghan, known as Nasim, said that he had lived in Pakistan for the last 42 years and went to school there. He was among those who traveled to the Torkham border after being given a deadline to leave or face forceful expulsion.

The situation comes as the Taliban has taken control of Afghanistan's government and has since cracked down on women's rights, closed secondary schools for girls, banned women from attending university or entering many public spaces, and prohibited them from working in most sectors, said CNN.