Headline: Afghan Refugees Face Discrimination, Uncertainty in Pakistan and Switzerland
Thousands of Afghan refugees fleeing Taliban rule are confronting systemic discrimination, bureaucratic delays, and psychological distress in host countries like Pakistan and Switzerland.
According to an article published on Hasht-e-Subh Daily, reports highlight extortion by Pakistani authorities, restrictive visa policies, and a controversial Swiss proposal to deport Pashtun refugees—sparking condemnation from human rights advocates.
Afghan refugees in Pakistan, many awaiting U.S. resettlement, face monthly visa renewals costing 20,000 rupees (≈$70) per person—a crushing burden for families. Pakistani police allegedly extort and harass them, with no accountability. “We’ve been forgotten,” said Sayed Mohammad, stranded in Islamabad for three years.
In Switzerland, a leaked immigration proposal suggested deporting Pashtun refugees, arguing their ethnic ties to the Taliban reduce risk. Former Afghan officials, including ex-Foreign Minister Rangin Dadfar Spanta, called the plan “racist” and a violation of international law. The Afghan mission in Geneva is seeking clarification.
The prolonged uncertainty has led to severe mental health crises among refugees. In Rawalpindi, a 20-year-old Afghan woman named Farhat died by suicide after jumping from a building, mirroring earlier cases of self-harm linked to deportation fears. Refugees report depression and panic disorders, with children repeatedly asking, “When will we leave?” Despite Pakistan’s official six-month visa policy, Afghans say extensions are arbitrarily limited to one month.
The Swiss proposal exacerbates these fears, as Pashtuns—Afghanistan’s largest ethnic group—face potential deportation despite risks under Taliban rule. Former Afghan National Security Advisor Rangin Dadfar Spanta condemned the plan as “a violation of international law,” echoing UNHCR principles.
Human rights organizations and Afghan diplomats are demanding accountability. The Afghanistan Freedom Front (AFF) called Switzerland’s ethnic-based deportation “a betrayal of human rights,” while Pakistan’s arbitrary one-month visa extensions for Afghans—contrary to its own six-month policy—highlight systemic discrimination. Iran and Pakistan have accelerated mass deportations, ignoring warnings from rights groups about retribution against former U.S. allies. Nasir Ahmad Andisha, Afghanistan’s ambassador to Switzerland, clarified that only criminal offenders face deportation, but refugees remain skeptical. “No one defends us,” said Zahra, a mother who sold belongings to survive in Islamabad.
