Afghan refugees in Pakistan are facing looming deportation threats due to new government initiatives following the suspension of the US Refugee Admissions Program. Families, such as that of Shakoofa Khalili, experience profound fear and trauma as they navigate the precarious situation. Experts warn that repatriation carries a high risk of retaliation from the Taliban, particularly for vulnerable groups. The recent crackdown by Pakistan on Afghan migrants adds to the urgency of resolving this crisis.

In Pakistan, Afghan refugees face the imminent threat of forced repatriation due to a new three-stage plan put forth by the government following the suspension of the US Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP). This directive, impacting Afghan nationals who fled the Taliban, stipulates that those not relocated by March 31, 2025, will be sent back to Afghanistan. Shakoofa Khalili recounts her family’s harrowing experience with police, highlighting the emotional toll this situation has on her young daughter, who is deeply traumatized by the threat of deportation.

The direct consequence of President Trump’s order to halt refugee resettlement has left many Afghans, including Khalili, feeling abandoned. Having worked on a US-funded child protection program, she regards returning to Afghanistan as a death sentence due to potential retribution from the Taliban for her previous affiliations. The existing conditions have forced many Afghans to hide, fearing for their lives and hoping to evade return.

As of now, estimates suggest 10,000 to 15,000 Afghans remain in Pakistan, awaiting US resettlement. The pause in the US Refugee Admissions Program has disproportionately affected Afghan women, stripping them of their rights and safety. Organizations like the UNHCR and IOM have warned that returning to Afghanistan could lead to severe consequences, particularly for vulnerable groups including women and children.

The Pakistani government, recalling its long history of hosting Afghan refugees, has intensified deportation threats. Approximately 3 million Afghan refugees reside in Pakistan, including about 800,000 undocumented individuals. The situation has dramatically escalated since the Taliban’s takeover in 2021, leading to increased efforts from Pakistan to repatriate Afghans as part of its crackdown on unauthorized migrants.

A bleak atmosphere prevails among many Afghan refugees in Pakistan. Khalili articulates her despair, demonstrating the risks faced by those who supported the US presence in Afghanistan. The suspension of the US visa program has exacerbated their precarious situation, leaving them vulnerable to the Taliban’s retaliation. Those who assisted US missions now confront severe consequences without the promised protections.

The situation of Afghan refugees in Pakistan is precarious, particularly following the Taliban’s ascent to power in 2021. The US’s withdrawal from Afghanistan catalyzed mass migrations into Pakistan, where many Afghans sought safety from Taliban reprisals. However, recent policy changes, including the suspension of the US Refugee Admissions Program, have severely restricted the options available to these refugees. The Pakistani government has signaled its intention to repatriate refugees, exacerbating fears among those who previously allied with Western forces. Pakistan has a historical backdrop of hosting large numbers of Afghan refugees, beginning during the Soviet invasion in the 1980s and continuing through subsequent conflicts. Recently, many refugees in Pakistan have faced increasingly unwelcoming conditions, characterized by hostility and the threat of deportation. The ongoing crackdown on undocumented Afghan migrants has heightened desperation among vulnerable populations, forcing them into hiding.

The plight of Afghan refugees in Pakistan underscores the dire consequences of geopolitical decisions and policy changes affecting their safety and future. With the explicit threat of deportation looming, particularly following the cessation of the US refugee resettlement pathway, many are left in a state of despair. As outlined, those who supported US operations in Afghanistan face the risk of severe repercussions should they be forced back, making immediate international support and intervention crucial.

Original Source: www.cnn.com

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