In response to the ongoing arrests and mistreatment of Afghan migrants in Pakistan, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) has stated that Afghan migrants in Pakistan should not be deported without following legal procedures.
The IOM emphasized that legal mechanisms must be utilized for the deportation of Afghan migrants.
Avand Azeez Agha, IOM Communications Officer in Afghanistan, said: “We are concerned about the increase in arrests of Afghan nationals in Pakistan, including incidents involving registered Afghan nationals, those in the process of being relocated or resettled to a third country, as well as women and children. We urge that Afghan nationals in Pakistan, regardless of their legal status, not be deported without due legal process. This includes the establishment of a screening mechanism to identify individuals in need of international protection, in line with Pakistan’s international human rights commitments. Additionally, we call on the international community to support Pakistan and other host countries in facilitating safe and dignified relocation pathways for Afghans.”
Amnesty International has also called on Pakistan to honor its obligations under international law and immediately release detained Afghans.
“The Pakistani authorities’ actions are sweeping and discretionary in nature and have resulted in the harassment and detention of refugees even when in possession of valid documents and visas. All refugees and asylum seekers, regardless of documentation status, have the right to due process and protection against forced return in international human rights law.”
Mansoor, deported from Pakistan, said: “We lived in Peshawar, where there were many problems, so we returned to Afghanistan.”
This comes as Pakistan, for several weeks now, has been arresting and deporting even those migrants who possess residency documents.
“Living in Pakistan became impossible. My father and brothers were arrested. Even if someone has a card, they are still detained,” said Wali Taj, another deportee.
Some experts and activists believe that the deportation of migrants from Pakistan will further strain relations between Afghanistan and Pakistan.
“This situation not only affects the personal lives and livelihoods of migrants but also risks creating a humanitarian and social crisis. Moreover, it has negative consequences for bilateral relations and regional stability,” said Abdul Raziq Adeel, a migrant rights activist.
So far, the Pakistani government has not commented on the deportation of Afghan migrants without legal documentation.
However, earlier, Pakistan’s Interior Minister had announced that after the end of 2024, Afghan nationals without legal documents would not be allowed to stay in the country.