Rights Group Urges Pakistan To Halt Afghan Refugee Deportations

Human Rights Watch warns Pakistan has sharply increased Afghan deportations, citing abuse, arbitrary arrests and risks to returnees amid rising tensions.

Human Rights Watch said in a new report that Pakistan has significantly escalated the deportation of Afghan migrants, alongside arbitrary detentions and forced returns.

The group said the crackdown has intensified following recent border tensions with Taliban authorities, with vulnerable Afghan refugees — including children; facing growing barriers to healthcare, education and basic services.

According to the report, Pakistani police have detained even Afghans holding valid visas, often during routine activities such as shopping, attending school or seeking daily work. It also documented allegations of confiscation of money and phones, as well as demands for bribes in exchange for release.

Fereshta Abbasi urged Pakistani authorities to act against abusive policing and immediately halt forced returns, warning that fear is spreading among refugee communities.

Human Rights Watch said more than 146,000 Afghans have been expelled from Pakistan in 2026 alone, while renewal of residency documents, including Proof of Registration (PoR) cards, has been largely suspended since 2023.

The deportations come amid rising friction between Pakistan and Taliban authorities, including cross-border shelling and security incidents along the frontier. Islamabad has accused militant groups operating from Afghanistan territory of carrying out attacks, a claim denied by Taliban officials.

These tensions have contributed to stricter enforcement measures against Afghan nationals inside Pakistan, with authorities linking migration control to broader security concerns.

Rights groups warn that many deported Afghans; including journalists, activists and former officials face serious threats upon return due to their past work or criticism of Taliban rule.

Data cited from Reporters Without Borders shows that at least nine Afghan journalists have been forcibly returned from Pakistan since the start of 2026, some despite holding valid visas.

Human Rights Watch said such forced returns may violate Pakistan’s obligations under international law, including the principle of non-refoulement, which prohibits sending individuals back to places where they face persecution or harm.

The group called on Pakistan to halt deportations and urged other countries to raise concerns, while also calling for continued scrutiny of human rights conditions under Taliban rule in Afghanistan.

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