Pakistan has intensified its efforts to expel undocumented Afghan nationals, including those who had been living temporarily under special permissions. The move has sparked strong reactions from Afghanistan.
According to officials, over 600,000 Afghans have already left Pakistan since the start of the crackdown last year. Currently, more than 3 million Afghans live in Pakistan, many of them refugees who fled during decades of conflict in Afghanistan. Now, thousands are being sent back daily, as Pakistani authorities continue operations across the country.
Pakistan has deported more than 19,500 Afghans this month, among more than 80,000 who have left ahead of a 30 April deadline, according to the UN.
Pakistan has accelerated its drive to expel undocumented Afghans and those who had temporary permission to stay, saying it can no longer cope.
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Between 700 and 800 families are being deported daily, Taliban officials say, with up to two million people expected to follow in the coming months.
On Saturday, Pakistan’s Foreign Minister arrived in Kabul and held talks with his Afghan counterpart. During the meeting, Afghanistan’s Foreign Minister expressed disappointment over the deportations, calling them unfair and a cause of distress for thousands of families.
Pakistan says the expulsions are necessary due to security concerns and the need to regulate immigration. However, human rights groups have urged Islamabad to halt the process, citing humanitarian issues and a lack of support systems for returnees in Afghanistan.
Despite the growing tension, both sides have agreed to continue diplomatic talks to ease the situation and find a cooperative path forward.
