Pakistan Extends Moratorium on the Deportation of Afghan Refugees

• The moratorium on the deportation of Afghan refugees has been extended until September 1.
• The UN expresses concern over the potential return of refugees through forced repatriation.
• There are plans to close refugee camps without specified dates.

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan — Pakistan has extended the moratorium on the deportation of millions of Afghan refugees until September 1. This was reported by officials in the middle of the week, noting that the United Nations organization supports this decision, but expresses concern over forced repatriation.

Over the past four decades, Afghans have fled to Pakistan, seeking refuge from war, political instability, and economic hardship in their homeland. Approximately 1.4 million of them are registered with the UN agency for refugees and have cards confirming their residency, issued by the Pakistani authorities. However, these cards ceased to be valid after June 30, which has drawn criticism from human rights advocates.

Refugees are granted a "grace period" of 25 days, from July 4 to August 31, to voluntarily return to their homeland. Latif-ur-Rehman, spokesman for the Ministry of Interior Affairs, noted that the new moratorium was confirmed this week, after which those remaining in the country may be arrested and forcibly deported.

There is also a plan for about 800,000 people, who are to have Afghan identity cards, to remain in the country illegally, according to government officials.

The UN agency for refugees warns that the continued moratorium may violate the international principle of non-refoulement, which prohibits the return of individuals to countries where they may face serious threats to their lives or freedom.

According to the UNHCR's red light, more than 1.2 million Afghans were forced to return to Afghanistan from Iran and Pakistan this year. Many Afghans live in refugee camps, but many others, due to better opportunities, have integrated into society, have families and businesses, and remain in hiding to avoid arrest.

Rehman reported that local government authorities were instructed to engage with Afghan community leaders to facilitate voluntary returns, and there are also plans to close refugee camps, but dates have not yet been specified.

Tags: Politics