Tens of thousands of Afghan nationals have been compelled to leave Pakistan, with the latest wave of deportations commencing in early April 2023. According to a report released by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) on Monday, over 127,000 Afghans have returned to their homeland since the beginning of the month alone.

The majority of these individuals left Pakistan voluntarily, driven by an overwhelming fear of impending deportation. Within this group, approximately 26,000 Afghans were forcibly deported by Pakistani authorities. This situation is indicative of a broader and more aggressive approach taken by Pakistan regarding Afghan refugees.

Following the expiration of a deadline for voluntary departure at the end of March, Pakistani officials have intensified their actions, leading to the arrest of numerous refugees. These individuals are being transferred to deportation centers as part of a systematic effort to manage the growing refugee population within its borders. In a startling announcement, the government in Islamabad has revealed plans to deport as many as three million Afghans residing in the country.

The climate of uncertainty and fear under the Taliban administration in Afghanistan has led many Afghans to express their anguish over the deportations. Pakistan was my home, I was born here, lamented Mohammed Razoul, a father of three, as he made his way through the Torkham border crossing back to Afghanistan. His story is not unique; for decades, millions of Afghans have sought refuge in Pakistan, escaping the turmoil of war and instability.

The situation in Afghanistan worsened dramatically after the Taliban regained control of the country in the summer of 2021. This political shift prompted a mass exodus, with tens of thousands of Afghans fleeing across the border in fear of persecution and retribution from the hardline Islamist rulers. Many of those who had previously settled in Pakistan found themselves facing an uncertain future as the Pakistani government began implementing policies aimed at repatriating unregistered Afghan refugees.

Since the commencement of the mass deportations in late 2023, nearly 900,000 Afghans have reportedly left Pakistan. Initially, the deportation campaign targeted only unregistered refugees; however, Pakistani authorities have signaled their intention to widen this effort to include registered refugees as well.

Human rights organizations, including Amnesty International, have raised alarms about the risks faced by Afghans seeking sanctuary in Pakistan post-Taliban takeover. The organization stressed that these individuals are particularly vulnerable and may face dire consequences if forced to return to Afghanistan under the current regime.