Pakistan has intensified its campaign to deport Afghans, leading to a mass exodus that sees over 19,500 individuals expelled this month alone. The rising number, propelled by security concerns, has sparked discussions between government officials of Pakistan and the Taliban, with many Afghans expressing desperation over their uncertain futures.
Surge in Afghan Deportations from Pakistan Amid Growing Concerns
Surge in Afghan Deportations from Pakistan Amid Growing Concerns
Over 80,000 Afghans have fled Pakistan as the country grapples with increasing pressures of undocumented refugees.
Pakistan has embarked on a significant campaign to deport Afghan refugees, with the UN reporting that more than 80,000 have left the country ahead of a 30 April deadline. This month alone, over 19,500 Afghans have been expelled, a move that Pakistani authorities attribute to a growing inability to manage the increasing number of undocumented refugees.
Reports indicate that between 700 and 800 families are being deported daily as officials warn that upwards of two million more Afghans could leave Pakistan in the upcoming months. Amid this turmoil, Pakistani Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar recently visited Kabul to discuss the situation with Taliban officials, highlighting the seriousness of the matter. The Taliban's Amir Khan Muttaqi expressed "deep concern" regarding the ongoing deportations during their talks.
Many Afghan families at the Torkham border crossing, through which most deportations occur, revealed harrowing experiences of feeling displaced in a country they have called home for generations. Sayed Rahman, a second-generation Afghan refugee, lamented, "I lived my whole life in Pakistan." Concerns are rife about the implications of returning, particularly regarding education for young Afghan girls, who face severe restrictions under Taliban rule.
As more families cross back into Afghanistan, many struggle to recognize their homeland. Aid and resources are already thin, and camps are feeling the strain of new arrivals. Refugees reported limited access to shelter, some having arrived with nothing as border guards restricted their ability to bring household items. The conditions at the border are harsh, with shelter from the sweltering heat and basic needs unmet.
"You cannot just send people back and expect it to work," said Bakht Jamal Gohar, the Taliban's head of refugee affairs at the crossing, speaking to the complexities emerging from this mass deportation. The already fragile Afghan economy and infrastructure face heightened challenges as they brace for the influx of returning citizens, many of whom left decades ago with no ties or belongings remaining in their native land.
