Amnesty International Urges Pakistan to Halt Deportations of Afghan Refugees Amid Human Rights Concerns
Amnesty International has urged the Pakistani government to retract its ‘Illegal Foreigners Repatriation Plan,’ which targets Afghan nationals, including refugees and asylum seekers. In a statement released on March 27, the organization criticized the Pakistani government’s impending March 31 deadline for the removal of Afghan nationals from major cities, labeling it as arbitrary and in violation of international human rights law. With a March 31 deadline looming, the plan mandates the removal of Afghan individuals from Islamabad and Rawalpindi, exacerbating their plight.
The specifics of the repatriation plan remain undisclosed, but it coincides with a campaign portraying Afghan refugees as criminals and terrorists.
Human rights lawyer Moniza Kakar highlighted the devastating impact of forced relocations, stating that many Afghan refugees have lived in Pakistan for decades. Afghan Citizen Card holders face immediate deportation, violating their rights under international law.
The Pakistani government has failed to provide justification for its hardline stance, leading to widespread discrimination and harassment of Afghan refugees. Conflicting directives from officials have further complicated the situation, with increased arbitrary detentions reported.
Amnesty noted that between September 2023 and February 2025, nearly 845,000 Afghan nationals were forcibly deported, exposing them to persecution by the Taliban. The organization called for immediate corrective action in line with international human rights standards to protect Afghan refugees in Pakistan.
Legal challenges against the deportation order are underway, with lawyers arguing that the directive lacks a legal basis and undermines fundamental rights. Meanwhile, the International Organization for Migration reported a significant decrease in returns and deportations of Afghans in March, suggesting that the border closure may have influenced these trends. As the deadline approaches, concerns grow over the fate of Afghan refugees in Pakistan.
