Afghan Refugees in Pakistan Face Expulsion as UN Calls for Protection
Thousands of Afghan refugees in Pakistan face potential deportation as global organizations, including UN agencies, urge the Pakistani government to reconsider its policy. Arshad Mehmood reports that many of those at risk include human rights activists, journalists, and musicians who fled Afghanistan after the Taliban took control in 2021. The UN High Commissioner for Refugees and the International Organization for Migration have called on Pakistan to ensure legal protections for those with valid documentation and to uphold international human rights standards.
The crisis has escalated after Pakistan announced plans to expel undocumented Afghan refugees by March 31, with arrests increasing in cities like Islamabad and Rawalpindi. Many Afghans were approved for resettlement in the United States but remain stranded due to delays in the process. The situation has sparked widespread concern among humanitarian groups, particularly for vulnerable populations.
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One group facing severe risks is Afghan musicians, who have been targeted under the Taliban’s strict ban on music. In a pivotal legal ruling, the Peshawar High Court in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province recently blocked the forced deportation of over 100 Afghan musicians, instructing the government to resolve their asylum applications within two months. The court emphasized that Pakistan has international obligations to protect refugees and should work with UN agencies to find a sustainable solution.
To learn more about the ongoing humanitarian crisis and the plight of Afghan refugees, read the full report by Arshad Mehmood.
