**Afghan refugees in Pakistan, many of whom have lived there for decades, face deportation following the Taliban's resurgence. Community leaders urge for compassion as tensions mount regarding security and political turmoil in Afghanistan.**
**Unsafe Returns: Afghan Refugees Bracing for Deportation from Pakistan**
**Unsafe Returns: Afghan Refugees Bracing for Deportation from Pakistan**
**As the deadline looms, Afghan families face a precarious future with renewed tensions and instability at home.**
In a fragile refugee settlement on the outskirts of Karachi, Afghan families gathered quietly to mark Eid al-Adha - a time traditionally associated with celebrations, now marred by deep anxiety. With a deportation deadline looming on March 31, thousands who have lived in Pakistan for generations face the prospect of returning to an uncertain and likely perilous reality under Taliban rule in Afghanistan.
Since the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan in 1979, Pakistan has welcomed millions of Afghans fleeing conflict and oppression. Over the years, while some have resettled back home, political crises and violence have propelled many others into ongoing displacement. The most recent surge in refugees followed the Taliban’s takeover in August 2021, after the fall of the U.S.-supported regime led by Ashraf Ghani. This latest exodus includes individuals who were hopeful for resettlement in other countries, including the U.S.
However, a sudden decree from the Pakistani government last month mandating repatriation has sent shockwaves through the Afghan community. “As a fellow Muslim nation and neighbor, Pakistan should demonstrate compassion,” stated Haji Abdullah Bukhari, a community elder. “It is inconceivable to uproot lives that have been lived here for decades within a matter of days. Many of our people don’t even know what they are returning to.”
The ongoing deportation efforts reflect rising frustrations in Pakistan over the Taliban's governance, with officials alleging that the Taliban harbors militants from groups like the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), responsible for violent incursions into Pakistan. While the Taliban vehemently deny these claims, the tension continues to escalate, putting Afghan refugees at an even greater risk as they face the looming deadline for mandatory return.
Since the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan in 1979, Pakistan has welcomed millions of Afghans fleeing conflict and oppression. Over the years, while some have resettled back home, political crises and violence have propelled many others into ongoing displacement. The most recent surge in refugees followed the Taliban’s takeover in August 2021, after the fall of the U.S.-supported regime led by Ashraf Ghani. This latest exodus includes individuals who were hopeful for resettlement in other countries, including the U.S.
However, a sudden decree from the Pakistani government last month mandating repatriation has sent shockwaves through the Afghan community. “As a fellow Muslim nation and neighbor, Pakistan should demonstrate compassion,” stated Haji Abdullah Bukhari, a community elder. “It is inconceivable to uproot lives that have been lived here for decades within a matter of days. Many of our people don’t even know what they are returning to.”
The ongoing deportation efforts reflect rising frustrations in Pakistan over the Taliban's governance, with officials alleging that the Taliban harbors militants from groups like the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), responsible for violent incursions into Pakistan. While the Taliban vehemently deny these claims, the tension continues to escalate, putting Afghan refugees at an even greater risk as they face the looming deadline for mandatory return.
