The looming expulsion of Afghan refugees from Pakistan from April 1 brings to an end decades of longstanding hospitality, as tensions between Islamabad and Kabul show no signs of abating.
According to current estimates, approximately 2.1 million documented Afghan refugees reside within Pakistan’s borders. The Pakistani government has attributed the resurgence of terrorism to elements operating from Afghan soil, alleging that terrorists shelter with refugees before undertaking attacks that target civilians and law enforcement personnel alike. Islamabad has repeatedly raised the issue with Kabul, to no avail, resulting in several prolonged border closures, further straining ties.
In November 2023, the then-caretaker government implemented the Illegal Foreigners Repatriation Program. The initiative mandates all illegal foreigners and Afghan Citizen Card holders to voluntarily leave the country by March 31 or face deportation. The policy has attracted criticism from human rights groups and the U.N.’s refugee agency—and now Ali Amin Gandapur.
The Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa chief minister has labeled the federal government’s forced repatriation plan as “inhumane and oppressive,” advocating for granting Pakistani citizenship to Afghan refugees who seek it. This echoes sentiments expressed by former Prime Minister Imran Khan during his time in office and are similarly heavy on political rhetoric and light on actionable policy.
The PTI was in power for three-and-a-half years; Khan ledged citizenship for Afghan refugees in September 2018, just a month after taking office. Rather than introducing legislation amending the country’s citizenship laws—currently conferring nationality on basis of descent—to allow citizenship for Afghans, the PTI-led government ignored the issue throughout its tenure. This was a deliberate choice. The party did not shy from introducing new bills, restoring to promulgating a record 77 ordinances when it feared lacking requisite support for its plans.
It is undeniable that Pakistan’s decision to deport undocumented Afghans raises human rights concerns due to the numbers involved and potential for abuse. However, what is often ignored is the option for the same Afghans to return to Pakistan on valid visas, allowing Islamabad to regulate migration while acknowledging the need for legal avenues for re-entry.
To appease both humanitarian groups and the KP government, Islamabad may consider adopting a more lenient approach that focuses on the deportation of illegal migrants without infringing upon their rights. This would entail clear communication, adequate support during repatriation, and the establishment of legal pathways for those seeking to return. In doing so, Pakistan upholds its security concerns while honoring its commitment to human rights and longstanding tradition of hospitality.