Amnesty International has called for the immediate cancellation of Pakistan’s forced deportation plan of Afghan migrants.
Isabelle Lassée, deputy regional director for South Asia at Amnesty International, described Pakistan’s decision as contrary to the rights of migrants and refugees. She stated that the deportation plan also contradicts Pakistan’s own commitments and repeated appeals from human rights organizations to uphold migrants’ and refugees’ rights.
Lassée said: “The opaque executive orders contravene the government’s own promises and repeated calls by human rights organizations to uphold the rights of Afghan refugees and asylum seekers.”
Meanwhile, Pakistani media reported that the federal government has decided not to extend the deadline for the deportation of Afghan migrants. In a meeting chaired by Pakistan’s Minister of Interior, it was decided that the deportation of Afghans residing in Islamabad and Rawalpindi, who had previously been warned, would now be strictly enforced.
“We request the deportation of migrants from Pakistan be stopped to open a window of hope for them. We face different challenges here [in Pakistan] every day,” Rajabi, an Afghan migrant in Pakistan
“These are very difficult days for migrants in Pakistan. We, the migrants, are worried and afraid as March 31 approaches,” said Mohammad Reza Sazesh, another Afghan migrant in Pakistan.
The Ministry of Refugees and Repatriation has also called this decision by Pakistan a violation of international law and good neighborly relations. The ministry added that concerns about the matter have been shared with Pakistan.
Abdul Mutalib Haqqani, spokesperson for the ministry of refugees and repatriation, said: “Such a decision against migrants contradicts all international conventions and opposes Islamic, humanitarian, and neighborly principles. This decision not only fails to solve problems but worsens them. We have shared our concerns with Pakistan.”
A day earlier, the head of refugees and repatriation affairs in Nangarhar province said that since the beginning of 2023, more than 67,000 families have been forcibly returned to Afghanistan through the Torkham crossing.