Displaced International Welcomes UNHCR-IOM Joint Statement and Reaffirms Call for a Humane Approach to Afghan Refugees in Pakistan
Displaced International (DI) welcomes the recent joint statement by UNHCR and IOM expressing deep concern over the directive requiring Afghan nationals to leave Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) and Rawalpindi or face deportation. We strongly urge the Government of Pakistan to ensure that any relocation measures adhere to international human rights standards, including due process and legal protections for Proof of Registration (POR) and Afghan Citizen Card (ACC) holders who have resided in Pakistan for decades.
This development marks another distressing step in the ongoing forced repatriation of Afghan refugees, many of whom have fled persecution, violence, and systemic repression under the Taliban regime. DI remains deeply concerned that the lack of clarity on relocation procedures, coupled with increased arrests and deportations, has placed thousands of Afghan men, women, and children in imminent danger.
“Now is not the time for Pakistani leadership to exert further pressure on Afghan refugees, whose lives have already been upended countless times over the last two decades. We urge Pakistan, a nation that has long shown hospitality toward Afghans, to collaborate with diplomatic missions and UN agencies to find a lasting solution for Afghan refugees. This includes calling on the United States to expedite the resettlement of vetted and processed applicants,” said Ambassador M. Ashraf Haidari, DI Founder & President.
As highlighted in our January 29 statement, Pakistan’s historic generosity in hosting Afghan refugees should be upheld through cooperative, solution-driven engagement with international partners rather than abrupt and coercive measures. The March 31 deadline for deportations in Islamabad and Rawalpindi only heightens fear and uncertainty for vulnerable Afghan families who lack viable pathways to safety.
DI calls on the Government of Pakistan to:
- Halt forced deportations and uphold its commitment to non-refoulement, ensuring that no Afghan refugee is forcibly returned to persecution or harm.
- Allow adequate time for resettlement, particularly for Afghan refugees awaiting relocation to the U.S. and other host nations.
- Safeguard refugee protections by preventing arbitrary arrests and harassment, in accordance with international humanitarian obligations.
- Collaborate with the U.S. and other resettlement nations to expedite backlogged cases and prevent Afghan refugees from being trapped in legal limbo.
We acknowledge Pakistan’s security and economic challenges and call upon the international community to intensify humanitarian support in addressing this crisis. However, forced deportation is not the solution. A humane and sustainable approach must be rooted in shared responsibility, coordinated action, and unwavering commitment to human rights.
Now is the time for compassion, collaboration, and decisive intervention to prevent a worsening humanitarian catastrophe. DI stands in solidarity with efforts by Pakistan, UN agencies, and international partners to ensure humane and lasting solutions for Afghan refugees.
Read, sign, and support our global petition to halt the forcible deportation of Afghan refugees from Pakistan. The international community must act now to ensure that Afghans are not abandoned or sent back to peril.
