Pakistan has deported over 11,371 Afghan nationals in the past few days, further tightening its crackdown on illegal refugees amid growing criticism from the global community.
The large-scale deportations are being conducted through the Torkham border, with more than 3,600 people deported to Afghanistan on Tuesday alone.
The deportation campaign is affecting thousands of Afghan refugees who have been settled in Pakistan for generations. Others were born on Pakistani territory and have no Afghan connection except for their lineage. The crackdown came after the March 31 deadline given by Pakistani authorities to Afghan refugees to depart voluntarily. Law enforcement agencies have since increased operations against Afghans with no valid visas, those whose documents have expired, or those who possess Afghan Citizen Cards (ACC).
Most of the forced removals are currently being conducted in the Peshawar region, where police and administrative forces have conducted targeted raids. According to The Express Tribune, one of Pakistan's leading newspapers, the operations have caused widespread distress among the Afghan refugee community.
Several deportees have complained of the terrible conditions they were subjected to. Many reported being arrested at the workplace and deported without being permitted to retrieve personal items or wrap up their means of livelihood.
One of them, Gul Mohammad, recounted his ordeal: "I had a small hotel business at the fruit market. The police raided the setup, arrested me in Haji Camp in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa for four nights, and have now sent me back to Afghanistan through Torkham."
Others alleged that their belongings were confiscated in the deportation procedure. In certain instances, people who possessed official residence documents or legal visas reported being deported nonetheless, adding to anxiety regarding the operation's equity.
"Our stuff was stolen. We were treated unjustly," one of the returnees explained to Afghan news broadcaster Amu TV, pointing towards the deteriorating humanitarian situation of the expellees.
Afghanistan's Ministry of Refugees and Repatriation Affairs has denounced the deportations as a violation of Islamic morals, international humanitarian principles, and global legal norms. In a statement, the ministry emphasized that the forced repatriation of Afghan families who had long been living in Pakistan as refugees is both inhumane and unjustifiable.
The Afghan government is calling for returning refugees to be permitted to recover their personal property and assets. It has also appealed to international agencies to provide crucial assistance to those now struggling to begin anew in a nation many barely know.
"The government of Afghanistan is committed to preparing for the safe return of these refugees, ensuring they are treated with dignity and respect," the ministry said.
While deportations persist, Kabul is calling for international cooperation to enable humane and safe repatriation. Human rights agencies and humanitarian agencies are being urged to intervene and assist the displaced thousands of people by the crackdown.
As the situation continues to deteriorate, eyes are now on what Pakistan, Afghanistan, and the world will do about this deepening crisis and restore the rights and dignity of Afghan refugees seeking safety and stability.
Read also| Trump Optimistic on Gaza Peace, Netanyahu Pushes for ‘New Deal’ on Hostages
Read also| Beijing Rebukes Trump's Additional Tariff Proposal, Citing Repeated Errors
