Amidst a crackdown against undocumented Afghans residing

in the country, Pakistan’s authorities have ordered all

undocumented Afghans to leave by 1 November or face
deportation. In recent weeks, hundreds of refugees have been
arrested and detained on the grounds that they do not have
adequate paperwork. According to reports, at least four
refugees have died in detention.

Ordered to Leave

Since the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan in August 2021,

thousands of Afghans have fled into surrounding countries.
More than 600,000 are estimated to have entered Pakistan,
bringing the country’s total population of Afghan refugees
(both registered and unregistered) to 3.7 million. 1.4
million are unregistered.

But in recent months, amidst worsening relations between the

neighbouring countries, Pakistani authorities have stepped up
a year-long crackdown against undocumented Afghans. On 2
October, Pakistan’s Interior Minister stated that all
undocumented Afghans must leave the country by 1 November.
Those who fail to do so, he said, will face deportation. “If they
do not go…then all the law enforcement agencies in the
provinces or federal government will be utilised to deport
them,” he said. The Pakistani government has
recently blamed Afghan nationals for a spate of violence in
the country, alleging that Afghan nationals were responsible
for 14 of the 24 suicide bombings witnessed in the country this
year.

The announcement immediately drew criticism from national

and international observers, and on 4 October Amnesty
stated: “Amnesty International urges the Government of
Pakistan to continue its historic support for Afghan refugees
by enabling them to live with dignity and free from the fear of
deportation to Afghanistan where they face persecution by the
Taliban.”

Waves of arrest

In recent months, authorities have conducted several waves of

arrests aimed at detaining and deporting “illegal” Afghan
refugees. In their most recent crackdown, authorities have
arrested and detained hundreds in Sindh Province (largely in
and around Karachi). According to Afghanistan’s embassy in
Islamabad, 1,000 Afghans have been arrested in the past two
weeks.

Pakistan’s authorities have said that these arrests and

detentions are in-line with the country’s Foreigners Act, which
permits the country to deport foreigners lacking
documentation. But while they claim to be targeting those who
are without appropriate paperwork, reports claim that even
Afghans who possess valid documents have been
apprehended.

In 2021, UNHCR issued a non-return advisory, calling for a bar

on the forced return of Afghan nationals. “In the wake of the
rapid deterioration in the security and human rights situation
in large parts of the country and the unfolding humanitarian
emergency, UNHCR calls on States to halt forcible returns of
Afghan nationals who have previously been determined not to
be in need of international protection.” This was renewed in
2023.

According to one report, Afghan authorities are planning on

establishing a “camp” in Nangarhar for all returned Afghans.

Detention

According to media reports, Afghans who have been arrested

have been placed in various facilities such as Landhi Jail in
Karachi. Here, some 650 Afghans are currently detained. Some
are reported to be released quickly after paying “fines”–while
those unable to pay remain confined. Many reports allege that
those in possession of valid paperwork have had their IDs
confiscated upon arrest. Children have also been amongst
those detained, with photos shared on social media showing
young Afghans tied together with rope. Those under the age of
18 have been placed in juvenile jails and remand homes in
Karachi.

In March, the Guardian reported that at least four Afghans

had died in custody during the recent crackdowns. This
included the death of 60-year-old Faiz Muhammad, who died in
Landhi Jail in February, and a 50-year-old male who died
when he was refused hospital treatment.

Difficulties in Obtaining Paperwork

Pakistan is not a signatory to the UN Refugee Convention, and

does not have a national asylum system in place. However, the
country has signed an accord with Afghanistan and UNHCR,
allowing the refugee agency to provide Proof of Registration
(PoR) to Afghan applicants. Once in possession of a PoR, an
Afghan is entitled to reside in Pakistan legally.

In reality, however, many Afghans have struggled to obtain

their PoR due to “sluggish” processing times within the
organisation contracted by UNHCR to provide this paperwork
(the Society for Human Rights and Prisoners’ Aid (SHARP)).
According to Amnesty, this has made it “virtually impossible
for recently arrived Afghans to receive documentation
quickly.”

Dark future

REFUSING to budge from the Oct 31 deadline, which ended last

night, Pakistan is looking to deport an estimated 1.7m ‘illegal’
Afghan immigrants, along with other undocumented foreigners.
Condemnation, criticism and concern from both within the country and
abroad have fallen on deaf ears. What will happen to the millions of Afghans
who sought shelter in a country they had come to call home for decades?

They fled hostile conditions back in Afghanistan, where foreign and civil wars,
both, were fought over the years, and where a deeply conservative Taliban
regime awaits them upon return.

Fears of persecution run rampant among the droves of Afghans who were
heartlessly provided less than 30 days to pack up the lives they had built in
Pakistan, some over generations. All they have been allowed to take with them
is Rs50,000 per family. Among those to have had it the worst, first in their
country of origin and until recently, their country of refuge, are the Hazaras.

Major clashes with the Taliban when they first came into power in
Afghanistan, drove the ethnic minority out, and here too, they suffered
religious persecution, only to be driven out again.

The decision has led to “harassment, assault, and arbitrary detention” of

Afghans, according to Human Rights Watch. Even those registered with
UNHCR are not immune and must bribe their way out.

The state, in its zeal to safeguard security interests, seems to have overlooked
the significant economic ramifications of such an abrupt exit. The contribution
of Afghans to various sectors, including agriculture, construction and informal
labour markets warrant serious consideration. Many established small
businesses contributing to local economies and sent remittances back home.

Their deportation could disrupt these economic flows and harm businesses
reliant on their patronage. Afghans over time also invested in real estate.

Their departure might result in a surplus of properties in certain areas,

potentially affecting property values and the real estate market. Furthermore,
they have played a vital role in cross-border transportation of goods and
services.

Their removal could disrupt supply chains and impact the cost of goods,
particularly in border regions. The deportation of Afghans will also likely
further strain relations with Afghanistan and impact regional connectivity.

While the state may have valid concerns, it must strike a balance between
national security and the preservation of economic stability and inclusivity.