The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), the UN RefugeeAgency, the international organization for migration, and the UN MigrationAgency jointly appealed to Pakistan to maintain its protection of all”vulnerable Afghans” seeking safety, as they could face “imminent risk” ifcompelled to return.
This plea comes in response to Pakistan’s directive for illegal migrantsto leave by November 1, with plans to take action against violators.Currently, Islamabad is expediting the repatriation of Afghan nationalswhile affirming its unchanged national policy regarding Afghan refugees.
Despite resource limitations and economic challenges, Pakistan continuesto generously host 1.4 million Afghan refugees. The Foreign Office stated,”As the situation in Afghanistan stabilizes, we believe it is the righttime to increase international efforts to create conditions conducive tothe voluntary, honorable, and dignified repatriation of Afghan refugees.”
The UNHCR emphasized that Afghanistan is facing a severe humanitariancrisis, especially impacting women and girls. Any forced repatriation planscould have serious consequences for those forced to leave the country,potentially exposing them to protection risks upon return.
While recognizing Pakistan’s sovereign authority over domestic policiesand its responsibility for public safety, the UN agencies offered theirsupport in developing a comprehensive and sustainable mechanism to registerand manage Afghan nationals, including those in need of internationalprotection.
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The humanitarian agencies commended Pakistan’s longstanding hospitalitytowards Afghan nationals for over four decades, urging that all returnsshould be voluntary, safe, and dignified, without coercion, to ensure thesafety of those seeking refuge.
They also expressed concerns about forced repatriation, which could lead tosevere human rights violations, including family separations and thedeportation of minors.