UNHCR: Afghan Refugees in Pakistan Must Respect the Announcement of this Country’s Government

For refugees, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has advised those Afghan refugees holding Proof of Registration (POR) cards to adhere to the latest announcement from the Government of Pakistan. The Pakistani government has ordered illegally residing Afghan nationals to leave the country; this includes those Afghans who arrived in Pakistan after 2021 and are awaiting transfer to a third country.

The Pakistani government has rejected the Taliban's claims that Afghan refugees are being mistreated in Pakistan. The government has stated that Afghan refugees in Pakistan live with dignity and are not subjected to any form of injustice. According to Pakistani officials, the refugees residing in the country are provided protection for their rights, and all actions are carried out in accordance with the law.

UNHCR has stated that those Afghan refugees holding POR cards should relocate from Islamabad, Rawalpindi, and other major cities to other cities. The agency emphasized that refugees must comply with the orders of the Pakistani government and refrain from illegally residing in major cities.

Afghan refugees residing in Islamabad and other cities have complained that, despite having legal documents and visas, they are still being detained and threatened with deportation. Some refugees have claimed that the police are taking large sums of money from them, and if they do not pay, they are arrested.

An Afghan refugee, who has been living in Islamabad for years, stated on the condition that her name not be revealed: "All our legal documents are in order, but still we are being harassed. The police demand money from me, and if I do not pay, they threaten me."

After 2021, when the Taliban regained power, thousands of Afghans came to Pakistan. Most of these individuals are hoping to be transferred to a third country. UNHCR has also advised them to obey the orders of the Pakistani government and to refrain from residing illegally in major cities.

Pakistani officials have made it clear that the process of repatriating illegal refugees is underway, and after February 28, even tougher measures will be taken against illegally residing Afghan nationals. On the other hand, Taliban officials have asked Pakistan to be lenient with Afghan refugees and to give them the opportunity to return to their country voluntarily. Active refugee rights organizations and United Nations agencies are monitoring this situation and are trying to find a suitable solution for Afghan refugees in Pakistan.