The plight of Afghan refugees

I’m writing to convey how deeply concerned I am about the recent actions of the Pakistani government towards the Afghan refugees who call that country home.

It is extremely concerning that the government has decided to threaten forcible deportation and issue a 28-day ultimatum for so-called “illegal immigrants” to leave the country.

An estimated 1.73 million Afghans are living in Pakistan without proper documentation, according to Pakistani authorities. Nonetheless, the way the government is attempting to handle this situation is not only cruel, but it also goes against global norms regarding refugee safety.

The government is ignoring the basic rights of Afghans, such as their right to apply for asylum and protection from persecution, by rationalizing their forcible deportation because they may have been involved in specific incidents.

The UN High Commissioner for Refugees’ (UNHCR) response emphasizes how crucial it is to make sure that any refugee return is voluntary and devoid of coercion.

Throughout this process, it is essential that the rights and dignity of Afghan refugees are respected.

It is impossible to overlook the alarming reports of abuse, harassment, and intimidation that Afghans in Pakistan have to deal with.

Furthermore, undocumented Afghans continue to face discrimination and marginalization, which makes it harder for them to obtain jobs and an education and increases their vulnerability and predicament.

These people should be treated with compassion, decency, and respect since they have fled their country in search of safety and refuge.

Pakistan must respect the ideals of human rights and refugee protection in its capacity as a member of the international community.

I implore the Pakistani government to give Afghan refugees’ safety and wellbeing top priority and to reevaluate how it is handling them. Adherence to international law and human rights standards is imperative for all actions pertaining to refugees.

Amina Fazal

Lahore