Pakistan has accelerated its efforts to deport Afghan refugees, with more than 19,500 Afghans being expelled this month, and an estimated two million people expected to follow in the coming months. The move follows a deadline extension to April 30, 2025, for undocumented Afghans to leave, driven by security concerns and pressure on public services due to the high number of refugees. Many of the deported individuals are second-generation refugees born and raised in Pakistan, making their return to Afghanistan a challenging and emotional experience, especially under Taliban rule. Afghanistan faces significant difficulties in absorbing these returnees, with a fragile economy and limited resources. This crisis highlights the humanitarian challenges of refugee repatriation and the growing tensions between Pakistan and the Taliban, with far-reaching political and social consequences.
Research team
Pakistan has intensified efforts to deport Afghan refugees, expelling tens of thousands of Afghans this month, and plans to deport up to two million more in the coming months. This mass expulsion has led to significant humanitarian concerns and strained both Pakistan’s resources and Afghanistan’s fragile infrastructure. The UN estimates that over 3.5 million Afghans have lived in Pakistan, with a large portion of them being undocumented. This investigation seeks to examine the reasons behind the expulsion, the impact on the refugees, and the broader geopolitical implications.
The Deportation Push
Pakistan has set a hard deadline for undocumented Afghans to leave the country by April 30, 2025, with authorities stating that they can no longer accommodate the overwhelming number of refugees. Between 700 and 800 families are being deported daily, with some 19,500 deportations recorded just this month. The UN reports that over 80,000 Afghans have already left, with many forced to cross into Afghanistan through the Torkham border crossing.
Pakistani officials argue that the presence of such a large number of refugees poses national security risks and places immense pressure on public services, especially in light of recent border clashes between Pakistan’s security forces and militant groups allegedly operating from Afghanistan. These tensions have led to increased calls from Pakistan for Afghan authorities to address security concerns along the border.
The Humanitarian Crisis
At the border, the situation is dire. Families are forced to leave behind their homes and possessions, with limited resources and no clear plan for relocation. Returnees report being subjected to harsh conditions, such as being restricted in the amount of belongings they can take and being left without proper shelter in Afghanistan. The mass deportation is exacerbating Afghanistan’s already fragile infrastructure, which is struggling with an economy in crisis and an overwhelming population of nearly 45 million.
Many of those being deported are second-generation refugees who have lived in Pakistan for decades. For them, Afghanistan is a foreign land, and returning has meant leaving behind the only home they have ever known. For example, Sayed Rahman, a second-generation Afghan refugee, expressed the pain of having to leave Pakistan, where he had built his life, including getting married and raising children.
In addition to the distress of displacement, many of the deported families face the uncertainty of a Taliban-controlled Afghanistan. Education for girls, which has been severely restricted under the Taliban regime, is a primary concern for many. Saleh, a father of three daughters, expressed his worries about their future, as girls over the age of 12 are banned from attending school in Afghanistan.
Afghan families wait outside a registration centre at the Torkham border crossing
The Taliban’s Response
The Taliban government in Afghanistan has expressed concern over the mass deportation, especially as many deported Afghans have spent their entire lives in Pakistan. In response to the pressure on Afghanistan’s already strained resources, the Taliban’s head of refugee affairs, Bakht Jamal Gohar, acknowledged the difficulties posed by the mass influx of refugees but insisted that most issues were being addressed.
The Taliban has been providing returnees with financial support, ranging from 4,000 to 10,000 Afghanis (approximately £41 to £104). However, many families report that the assistance is insufficient to address their immediate needs. The overcrowded border camps are lacking in adequate shelter, and families have been forced to endure extreme weather conditions as they wait for transportation back to their provinces.
Pakistan’s Position and International Concerns
Pakistan’s actions have raised international concerns, especially among human rights groups. The UN and various humanitarian organizations have condemned the way in which many of the refugees are being treated, particularly the lack of respect for their property and personal belongings. Pakistan’s Foreign Minister, Ishaq Dar, met with Taliban officials in Kabul to discuss the issue, but no significant resolution has been reached.
The deportation of Afghan refugees is not just a humanitarian issue but also a geopolitical one. The strained relations between Pakistan and Afghanistan are exacerbated by accusations from Pakistan that militants based in Afghanistan are responsible for the recent border clashes. These tensions have led to calls for more cooperation between the two countries on border security and refugee management. However, the Taliban has denied responsibility for the militant activity in Pakistan, further complicating the situation.
The international community is divided over the best approach to managing the refugee crisis. While some countries call for greater support for Pakistan in managing the influx, others stress the importance of ensuring that Afghan refugees are treated with dignity and respect, with adequate protections in place.
The mass deportation of Afghan refugees from Pakistan is creating a severe humanitarian crisis at the border, putting immense pressure on both Pakistan and Afghanistan’s already fragile systems. The expulsion highlights the ongoing challenges posed by the Afghan refugee crisis, including security concerns, economic instability, and the rights of displaced people. As Pakistan pushes forward with its deportation plan, the international community must consider the broader implications for regional stability and the protection of vulnerable populations.