HRW Reports Forced Returns of Afghan Refugees from Pakistan

Pakistani authorities are intensifying pressure on Afghan refugees to return to Afghanistan, where they face persecution by the Taliban and dire economic conditions, Human Rights Watch has warned. Since the Taliban takeover in August 2021, the human rights situation in Afghanistan has deteriorated, with women and girls particularly affected, facing bans on education and other rights.

In January 2025, Pakistan announced that Afghans without official documents must leave major cities or face deportation. Human Rights Watch reported that many Afghans returned due to fear of detention, with police employing coercive tactics such as raids and extortion. Over 800,000 Afghans were expelled from Pakistan between September 2023 and January 2024, many of whom were women and children.

Returning refugees struggle with unemployment, lack of healthcare, and limited foreign aid. Many lose their property and savings, facing severe restrictions on education and employment in Afghanistan. The Taliban’s oppressive policies exacerbate the challenges for returnees, especially women and those associated with the former government.