Pakistan has intensified its deportation of Afghans, with over 19,500 expulsions this month alone, as the government cites national security and public service pressures. With discussions ongoing between Pakistani and Taliban officials, the significant influx of returnees is raising concerns about Afghanistan's already strained infrastructure and humanitarian conditions.
Mass Deportations of Afghans from Pakistan Heighten Humanitarian Crisis
Mass Deportations of Afghans from Pakistan Heighten Humanitarian Crisis
Over 80,000 Afghans forced out of Pakistan amid rising tensions; deportees face uncertain futures as infrastructure strains.
Pakistan has ramped up its efforts to deport Afghans, expelling over 19,500 individuals this month, according to recent UN reports. An estimated 80,000 Afghans are expected to leave by a set deadline of April 30. This surge in expulsions has been attributed to Pakistan's concerns over national security and inadequate public services due to the high number of refugees settling in the country.
Pakistani officials, including Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, met recently with Taliban representatives in Kabul to address the evolving situation. Taliban officials have expressed significant worry regarding the ongoing deportations, with reports suggesting that around 700 to 800 families are being forcibly removed each day. According to the UN, approximately 3.5 million Afghans reside in Pakistan, with a considerable number undocumented.
The situation is particularly dire for families who have long been in Pakistan, with many individuals stating they were born in the country and have no connection to Afghanistan. One man, Sayed Rahman, voiced his despair, having lived his entire life in Pakistan. He conveyed concerns for his future, stating, “What am I supposed to do now?”
The stark contrast in educational rights has raised alarm for many. Afghans returning face restrictions that bar girls over the age of 12 from attending school, prompting parents like Saleh—who has three daughters—to fear for their daughters' education. He asserts, “I want my children to study… Everyone has the right to an education.”
The deportation process at the Torkham border reveals the human cost of these policies, with instances of families struggling under harsh conditions. Reports indicate that some deportees could only take minimal belongings, facing additional hardships as they attempt to reintegrate into Afghan society, which is currently grappling with economic turmoil.
Concerns surrounding the impact of these returnees on Afghanistan's infrastructure are escalating, as Bakht Jamal Gohar, the Taliban's head of refugee affairs, acknowledges the challenges presented by the sudden influx of people who had established their lives in Pakistan.
While disputes over resource allocation at the border have arisen, Pakistani officials have denied claims of policy restrictions on what returning Afghans can carry. As these deportations continue, the long-term implications of strained relations between Pakistan and Afghanistan, coupled with the humanitarian crises magnified by economic challenges, remain uncertain and troubling.
