Afghan Families in Pakistan Face Deportation Crisis
In Islamabad, Afghan families are living in fear as deportations and police raids increase. Ten-year-old Nabila, whose name has been changed for safety, has not attended school since December due to new restrictions on Afghan children. With the looming threat of deportation back to Afghanistan, many families are left feeling hopeless and trapped.
Growing Fear Among Afghan Refugees
Life for Afghan refugees in Pakistan has become increasingly precarious. Nabila, a 10-year-old girl, expresses her fear of being deported. Since her school stopped accepting Afghan students without valid Pakistani birth certificates, she has been confined to her one-bedroom home in Islamabad. The situation worsened when she learned that police were searching for Afghan children, leading her to avoid going outside. The United Nations estimates that over half of the three million Afghans in Pakistan are undocumented, heightening their vulnerability to police actions.
Reports indicate a surge in arrests and deportations, with many Afghans fearing for their lives if returned to Afghanistan. Families who had been part of a U.S. resettlement program, now suspended, are particularly anxious. Philippa Candler, the UN Refugee Agency’s representative in Islamabad, highlights Pakistan’s frustration with the slow pace of relocation programs. In February alone, nearly 1,000 people were deported, with a significant portion possessing documentation from the UN Refugee Agency, indicating their need for protection.
Pakistan’s Stance on Refugees
Pakistan has a complex history with Afghan refugees, often citing security concerns as a reason for its stringent policies. The government has stated that it does not recognize Afghans as refugees and has set deadlines for undocumented individuals to leave the country. Currently, the deadline for those without valid visas is March 31, while those with resettlement letters have until June 30. This uncertainty leaves many Afghans feeling anxious and confused about their status.
Nabila’s father, Hamid, who served in the Afghan military, fears for his family’s safety. Without visas or a place on a resettlement list, they feel they have no choice but to hide. Hamid describes his sleepless nights filled with dread, stating, “I have served my country and now I’m useless. That job has doomed me.” Their attempts to contact the UN Refugee Agency for assistance have gone unanswered, leaving them feeling abandoned.
Escalating Deportations and Humanitarian Concerns
The situation for Afghan refugees in Pakistan has deteriorated significantly since the launch of the “Illegal Foreigners’ Repatriation Plan” in September 2023. Over 836,000 individuals have been returned to Afghanistan, exacerbating the humanitarian crisis. Many Afghans are being detained in camps, such as the Haji camp in Islamabad, where conditions are reportedly dire. Ahmad, a refugee in the final stages of the U.S. resettlement program, describes a harrowing experience when police raided his home, forcing him to flee with his family.
Ahmad recounts the fear and chaos as he rushed home to protect his wife and children. They were held for three days under harsh conditions, receiving minimal food and inadequate shelter. The Pakistani government has claimed that no one is mistreated during the repatriation process, but accounts from refugees suggest otherwise. Attempts by the BBC to verify these claims were met with denial of access to the camps.
Desperate Measures Amid Uncertainty
As deportations continue, some Afghan families are choosing to leave Islamabad and Rawalpindi, while others are unable to afford to do so. One woman, who was close to completing the U.S. resettlement process, relocated with her daughters to escape the raids, but still faces daily threats. The U.S. embassy in Islamabad has stated that it is in communication with the Pakistani government regarding the status of Afghan nationals seeking resettlement.
Outside the Haji camp, families wait anxiously for news of their loved ones. One woman, whose sister is detained inside, fears for their safety and pleads for assistance. She reflects on the dire situation, stating, “If my country was safe, why would I come here to Pakistan? And even here we cannot live peacefully.” The plight of Afghan refugees in Pakistan remains critical, as they navigate a landscape filled with uncertainty and fear.
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