UNHCR Urges Pakistan to Halt Forced Afghan Returns

Two brothers wait at the Torkham border between Pakistan and Afghanistan with their family, after returning from Pakistan.

The UN refugee agency, UNHCR, has called on Pakistan to halt the forcible return of Afghan refugees holding proof of registration (PoR) cards, spokesperson Babar Baloch said on Tuesday in Geneva.

He expressed particular concern over the plight of women and girls sent back to Afghanistan, which has been under Taliban rule for four years.

On 31 July, Pakistan confirmed that Afghan refugees would be deported under its ongoing ‘Illegal Foreigners Repatriation Plan’.

UNHCR has received reports of arrests and detention of Afghans across the country, including PoR cardholders.

“We acknowledge and appreciate Pakistan’s generosity in hosting refugees for over 40 years amid its own challenges,” said Mr Baloch.

“However, given that those holding PoR cards have been recognised as refugees for decades, their forced return is contrary to Pakistan’s long-standing humanitarian approach to this group and would constitute a violation of the principle of non-refoulement.”

The situation comes amid a mass return of Afghans from neighbouring countries, including Iran. This year, over 2.1 million have already returned or been forced to return to Afghanistan, including 352,000 from Pakistan.

“UNHCR remains particularly concerned about women and girls forced to return to a country where their human rights are at risk, as well as other groups who might be endangered,” said Mr Baloch.

UNHCR has also sought an extension of the validity of PoR cards, which expired at the end of June, and welcomed Pakistan’s one-month “grace period”.

“UNHCR strongly urges the Government of Pakistan to apply measures to exempt Afghans with continued international protection needs from involuntary return,” he said.

“We also appeal to Pakistan’s established goodwill to allow legal stay for Afghans with medical needs, those currently pursuing higher education, or in mixed marriages.”

He said the large-scale return of Afghans from neighbouring countries has put immense pressure on basic services, housing, and livelihoods, as well as host communities.

The policy is worsening an already dire humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan. According to the UN aid coordination office OCHA, almost half the population – nearly 23 million people – will require humanitarian assistance this year to survive.

Mr Baloch warned that “mass and hasty returns significantly heighten protection needs and risk instability in Afghanistan and the region, including onward movement.”