The Afghanistan embassy in Pakistan has issued a warning that Afghan nationals are facing forced relocations in Islamabad and Rawalpindi. The embassy stated that Afghan refugees in both cities have been subjected to arrests, searches, and orders from the police to leave and relocate to other parts of Pakistan. The deteriorating relationship between the two countries, with Islamabad accusing Kabul of failing to curb cross-border attacks, has exacerbated tensions.
Last year, Pakistan announced that illegal Afghan refugees would not be allowed to live in Islamabad and Rawalpindi, citing their participation in a protest rally. Pakistan currently hosts over 2.5 million Afghans, with half registered with the UNHCR. The Afghan embassy has expressed concerns over the mass expulsion of refugees and the unilateral nature of Pakistan’s decision.
The Pakistani government has outlined a three-phase plan to repatriate Afghan citizens, setting a deadline of March 31 for their expulsion from Islamabad and Rawalpindi if they are not relocated. Thousands of Afghans who were approved for resettlement in the US are now in limbo in Pakistan after refugee programmes were paused.
The embassy’s warning highlights the challenges faced by Afghan nationals in Pakistan and the urgent need for a coordinated effort to address the growing refugee crisis. As tensions between the two countries persist, the fate of Afghan refugees remains uncertain.
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