Human Rights Watch (HRW) has criticized Pakistan for expelling Afghan refugees and has called for an end to violent treatment and forced repatriation of Afghans from the country.
In a report, Human Rights Watch stated that Afghan refugees have left their country for various reasons, including economic difficulties, and have sought refuge in Pakistan, where they should be supported.
Elaine Pearson, Asia director at Human Rights Watch, stated: “Pakistani officials should immediately stop coercing Afghans to return home and give those facing expulsion the opportunity to seek protection.”
“The repeated pressures exerted by the Pakistani government on refugees are a blatant violation of human rights and contradict international commitments. Pakistan must understand Afghanistan’s situation and postpone the deportations,” Mohammad Khan Mohammadzai, a migrant rights activist
Meanwhile, the Express Tribune has reported that Pakistani security officials have launched an operation in Rawalpindi to monitor the guards of private residential complexes. According to the report, the Rawalpindi intelligence committee is working to prevent the employment and presence of Afghan nationals and criminals in the city.
At the same time, several Afghan refugees in Pakistan are urging human rights organizations to address their challenges in the country.
“Recently, they have created problems for all refugees. We cannot go to school or university and are forced to stay at home,” Mohammad Reza Sazish, an Afghan refugee in Pakistan
This comes as the Pakistani government has ordered undocumented Afghan refugees and even those holding ACC (Afghan Citizen Card) documents to leave the country by March 31 this year. Otherwise, they will face forced repatriation.