UNHCR Urges Pakistan to Protect Vulnerable Afghans Facing Return

UNHCR Urges Pakistan to Protect Vulnerable Afghans Facing Return
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The UN refugee agency has called on Pakistan to allow Afghans with special protection needs to remain in the country, warning that enforced returns could expose them to serious risks, Arab News reported. Pakistan launched a national crackdown in 2023 targeting undocumented foreign nationals, most of whom are Afghans who have crossed the border over the last four decades due to conflict, political instability and economic crises.

The government has said the policy is driven by security concerns, claiming that some Afghan nationals have been linked to militant attacks. Human rights groups, however, argue the measures punish entire communities and leave families with no secure future in Afghanistan. The UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) said many Afghans in Pakistan remain highly vulnerable due to their backgrounds, affiliations or personal circumstances.

The agency stressed the need for legal support, documentation and protection services to safeguard individuals at risk. It urged Islamabad to exempt those with specific vulnerabilities from the Illegal Foreigner Repatriation Plan and uphold Pakistan’s longstanding record of hosting Afghan refugees.

Nearly one million Afghans have returned from Pakistan this year, according to UN estimates. As temperatures drop, thousands more are leaving under pressure despite Afghanistan’s worsening humanitarian crisis. UNHCR officials said large-scale returns should only be encouraged under safe and sustainable conditions.

Inside Afghanistan, poverty affects the vast majority of the population, while economic collapse and weak public services continue to push families into hardship. More than 2.2 million people have returned from Pakistan and Iran in 2025 with limited support to rebuild their lives, and recent earthquakes have intensified needs.

The UN refugee agency is appealing for increased funding from global donors to expand life-saving assistance during winter. Without greater support, it warned, returnees may be unable to reintegrate and could be forced to move again in search of safety and basic necessities.