UNHCR and IOM Raise Concerns Over Afghan Refugee Relocation Plans
The United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR) and the International Organization for Migration (IOM) have expressed concern about the Pakistani government’s plan to relocate registered Afghan refugees from Islamabad and Rawalpindi. They are seeking more clarity from the government regarding the specifics of the relocation process, including its timeline and the measures that will be taken.
Sources familiar with the plan have informed Dawn that the government intends to repatriate registered Afghan refugees and move them out of the two cities. The plan is to begin with Afghan nationals holding the Afghan Citizens Card (ACC), who will be immediately relocated. Alongside them, undocumented refugees will also be sent back to Afghanistan.
In a joint statement, the UNHCR and IOM acknowledged Pakistan’s decision to limit the movement of foreigners, including refugees. However, they stressed the importance of ensuring that the relocation process is carried out in line with human rights standards and due process. They also highlighted the need for proper consideration of the legal status of those with Proof of Registration (POR) cards or ACC holders, who have been residing in Pakistan for extended periods.
The organizations expressed concern about the uncertainty surrounding the relocation timeline, which has added stress to an already difficult situation. They pointed out that the relocation would have an immediate negative impact on refugees’ livelihoods, especially the education of children.
UNHCR Representative Philippa Candler emphasized Pakistan’s long-standing tradition of hosting refugees, acknowledging the immense generosity that has helped save millions of lives. She cautioned, however, that forced return could put many refugees at risk. Candler urged Pakistan to continue providing safety to vulnerable Afghans, regardless of their documentation status.
While understanding the security challenges faced by Pakistan, both organizations stressed that the majority of Afghan nationals in the country are law-abiding individuals, and their situation should be viewed through a humanitarian lens.
IOM’s Chief of Mission, Mio Sato, expressed the organization’s commitment to working with the Pakistani government and UNHCR to create a mechanism for properly registering, managing, and screening Afghan nationals. This would help ensure tailored solutions, including international protection for those in need, and offer pathways for Afghan nationals with long-standing ties to the country.
The statement also noted that the recent surge in arrests of Afghan nationals in Islamabad and Rawalpindi has caused significant distress, with over 800 Afghan nationals, including women and children, being deported since the beginning of the year. This has raised fears of imminent deportation among refugees in the capital region.
Additionally, the UNHCR has maintained a non-return advisory since 2021, which calls for the suspension of forced returns of Afghan nationals, regardless of their status. Both UNHCR and IOM voiced their particular concern for vulnerable groups among the Afghan nationals, such as ethnic and religious minorities, women and girls, journalists, human rights activists, and members of the artistic community, who could face significant harm upon their return to Afghanistan.
In November, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi had announced that Afghan nationals would not be allowed to stay in the Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) without proper authorization after December 31. However, the federal government assured the Supreme Court that the validity of Proof of Registration (PoR) cards for registered refugees had been extended until June 30.
Since the caretaker government ordered undocumented migrants to leave or face arrest, over 400,000 undocumented Afghan nationals have returned to Afghanistan. Human rights monitors have raised concerns that some of those deported may face persecution, particularly under the Taliban’s strict regime, which has severely restricted the rights of women and girls, including barring them from higher education and many public life activities.
UNHCR IOM Concerned Over Afghan Refugee Relocation
