UN agency calls on Pakistan to stop forced repatriation of Afghans during winter

The UN refugee agency on Wednesday urged Pakistan to halt deportation of undocumented Afghan refugees during the harsh winter season, as police continued to search homes and expel Afghanis who had not already left.

UNHCR urged the government of Pakistan to halt the mass numbers of returns during the harsh season of winter because the cold in Afghanistan is really deadly and it can take lives, especially desperate children and women.

The agency has said the Afghans’ return should be voluntary and that Pakistan should identify vulnerable individuals who need international protection.