Pakistan Sends 213 Afghan Refugees Back Just Days Before Deadline
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Synopsis
Over 200 Afghan refugees have been deported to Afghanistan by Pakistan just before the March 31 deadline, despite international criticism and calls for an extension of their stay.
Key Takeaways
- 213 Afghan refugees deported just before the deadline.
- Pakistani government remains firm on deportation plans.
- International rights groups criticize Pakistan's actions.
- Escalating pressures on Afghan nationals reported.
- Fear of detention cited as reason for many returning.
Rawalpindi, March 28 (NationPress) More than 200 Afghan refugees have been sent back to Afghanistan by Islamabad as the country remains steadfast in its mass deportation strategy.
According to local media reports on Thursday, out of the 923 individuals detained in Rawalpindi, 213 were deported to their homeland.
This action occurs just prior to the March 31 deadline imposed by the Pakistani government.
As part of the crackdown on refugees, a total of 923 Afghan nationals were relocated to the Afghan refugee holding facility near Golra Mor in Rawalpindi, as reported by Dawn.
Notably, 22 of the detained individuals escaped from the facility on Wednesday, leaving it empty by Thursday, according to reports.
Among those apprehended, 86 had expired visas, 116 held Afghan Citizen Cards (ACC), while 290 possessed Proof of Registration (PoR).
A senior police official informed Dawn that it was evident that those with ACCs would be expelled from Rawalpindi and Islamabad ahead of the deadline.
Meanwhile, the government led by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has opted not to extend the March 31 deadline for Afghan nationals to exit the country.
Previously, Islamabad rejected the Afghan government's appeal to prolong the stay of Afghan nationals in Islamabad and Rawalpindi.
Condemning the actions of the Pakistani government, Amnesty International recently highlighted that the upcoming deadline, aimed at removing Afghan refugees and asylum seekers, reflects a blatant disregard for international human rights laws.
"The Pakistani government intends to arbitrarily and forcibly remove Afghan nationals, including refugees and asylum seekers, as part of the 'Illegal Foreigners Repatriation Plan', unfairly targeting a community that has long faced adversity and persecution," Amnesty International shared on X.
Last week, the human rights organization criticized Pakistan for its forced deportations of Afghan refugees, while the US-based advocacy group Human Rights Watch called on Pakistan to halt the forced returns immediately.
Pakistani officials have been accused of escalating abusive tactics and other pressures on Afghan refugees to compel their departure well ahead of the deadline.
The rights watchdog reported that Pakistani police have conducted raids on homes, physically assaulted individuals, and unlawfully detained them while confiscating their refugee documentation, including residence permits. Additionally, they have solicited bribes to permit Afghans to remain in Pakistan.
The United Nations has indicated that many Afghans returning to Afghanistan have cited fear of detention by Pakistani authorities as a primary factor for their departure.
