Senator Afrasiab Khattak, DI Global Advisory Council Member, Outlines Key Principles for a Just and Humane Afghan Refugee Repatriation Policy in Pakistan
By Staff Writer
In a recent press conference at Islamabad’s National Press Club, the Joint Action Committee (JAC) on Afghan Refugees inaugurated its Islamabad chapter, addressing escalating concerns over Pakistan’s mass deportation policy affecting Afghan refugees.
The Honorable Senator Afrasiab Khattak, a member of the Global Advisory Council of Displaced International (DI), emphasized three fundamental principles that should guide Pakistan’s Afghan refugee repatriation policy:
- Voluntariness: Repatriation should be a voluntary decision by the refugees themselves. Coercion or forced deportation undermines human rights and international agreements on refugee protection. Sustainable repatriation can only occur when individuals feel secure and prepared to return.
- Safety: The conditions in the country of return must be safe and conducive for reintegration. Afghanistan’s ongoing security and economic challenges mean that many returning refugees may face threats, lack of basic services, and economic instability.
- Third-Country Resettlement: If returning is not feasible, options for resettlement in third countries should be explored. Many host nations and international organizations should collaborate to provide pathways for refugees who cannot safely return to their home countries.
Senator Khattak highlighted that many Afghan refugees were born in Pakistan and have known no other home, advocating for their right to be granted Pakistani citizenship. He stressed that denying them legal recognition forces them into statelessness, depriving them of basic rights and opportunities.
“Forced deportations violate human rights and create instability. Afghan refugees deserve voluntary, safe, and dignified repatriation—or viable resettlement options. Pakistan must uphold its moral and legal obligations to protect them,” Ambassador M. Ashraf Haidari, DI Founder & President, reacted.
The JAC’s formation comes amid reports that Pakistani authorities plan to deport two million Afghan refugees in the current year, following the expulsion of 850,000 in 2023. Riaz Ahmed, a JAC member, expressed concerns over the humanitarian crisis unfolding due to these forced repatriations, noting that while the UNHCR has established voluntary repatriation centers, many Afghans are being forcibly transported back to Afghanistan without proper oversight.
Political figures, including Farhat Ullah Babar of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), criticized the government’s approach, urging for an international conference in Islamabad to devise a humane and systematic solution to the refugee crisis. He emphasized that while countries have the right to deport illegal immigrants, the process must be orderly and respect human rights.
We at Displaced International are calling for justice, compassion, and solidarity with Afghan refugees. Sign this petition to amplify our demand for an end to forcible deportations by the Pakistani government and for the protection of those who have already endured unimaginable suffering.
