Synopsis
Pakistan has deported over 850 Afghan families in a single day through its border crossings with Afghanistan, raising concerns over the well-being of returnees amid ongoing instability in Afghanistan. The government plans to expel three million Afghans by 2025, as the situation for refugees remains precarious.Key Takeaways
- 852 Afghan families were expelled in one day.
- Pakistan has plans to deport three million Afghans by 2025.
- Many refugees face risks upon returning to Afghanistan.
- International organizations are criticizing Pakistan's deportation policy.
- Afghan refugees are urged to return to help rebuild their homeland.
Kabul, April 14 (NationPress) Pakistan is actively expelling Afghan families through the Torkham border crossing in eastern Nangarhar and the Spin Boldak border crossing in southern Kandahar province. On Sunday, Pakistani authorities deported a total of 852 Afghan families comprising 4,567 individuals, as reported by Afghanistan's High Commission for Addressing Returnees Problems on Monday.
On the previous day, Pakistan had expelled 6,500 Afghan refugees, as detailed by the commission.
At the Torkham border, the commission offered temporary shelters, food, water, medical assistance, and transportation services to the returnees heading to their respective provinces, according to Xinhua news agency.
The Pakistani government plans to deport three million Afghans back to their homeland by 2025.
Currently, an estimated seven million Afghan refugees, many of whom are undocumented, are living abroad, primarily in neighboring Pakistan and Iran.
The Afghan interim government has repeatedly urged Afghan refugees to cease living abroad as refugees and to return home to assist in rebuilding their war-torn nation.
Deported Afghans have recounted that they were detained by Pakistani police while working and subsequently deported to Afghanistan, leaving behind their businesses and families.
“I operated a small hotel at the fruit market. The police raided my establishment, detained me at Haji Camp in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa for four nights, and then deported me via Torkham,” said Afghan deportee Gul Mohammad, as quoted by TOLO News last week.
“They arrested us while we were working. They took whatever money we had, brought us to the police station, and treated us harshly. They do not regard us as good neighbors,” another deportee, Aqakhan, stated.
Pakistan's deportation policy has faced criticism, with various international organizations condemning the actions and expressing concern over the serious risks faced by refugees upon their return amidst uncertainties in Afghanistan.
