The Plight of Afghan Refugees in Pakistan: A Desperate Fight for Survival

The Story of Shakoofa Khalili: A Family’s Struggle for Safety

Shakoofa Khalili, an Afghan refugee living in Islamabad, Pakistan, found herself in a heart-wrenching situation when her eight-year-old daughter witnessed her father being approached by the police. The child’s desperate pleas to the officers revealed the deep-seated fears of her family. The Khalilis fled Afghanistan after the Taliban’s takeover in 2021, hoping for resettlement in the United States through the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP). However, their hopes were dashed when the program was suspended, leaving them vulnerable to deportation. This suspension has instilled fear in thousands of Afghan refugees in Pakistan, who now face an uncertain and dangerous future.

Pakistan’s Repatriation Plan: A Ticking Clock for Afghan Refugees

Pakistan’s government has drafted a repatriation plan targeting Afghan nationals, giving foreign missions until March 31, 2025, to resettle them. Failure to meet this deadline will result in forced deportation back to Afghanistan. This plan, coordinated by Pakistan’s intelligence agencies, aims to clear the capital and its twin city, Rawalpindi, of Afghan refugees. For individuals like Shakoofa Khalili, who worked on U.S.-funded projects, deportation is akin to a death sentence, as the Taliban views them as enemies. Khalili’s daughter, deeply traumatized by the encounter with the police, stopped eating and suffered from nightmares, highlighting the psychological toll on these families.

The Threat of Deportation: A Death Sentence for Afghan Refugees

The deportation threat looms large over Afghan refugees, who fear severe repercussions if returned to Afghanistan. Many, like Khalili, are in hiding, aware that their collaboration with the U.S. makes them targets for the Taliban. The psychological impact on children is evident, with Khalili’s daughter exhibiting signs of trauma. The suspension of USRAP has shut a crucial escape route, leaving these families in limbo. International organizations emphasize that forced return exposes vulnerable groups to retribution, underscoring the urgency of the situation.

International Organizations’ Warnings: The Human Cost of Deportation

The UNHCR and IOM have urged against forced repatriation, citing the risks faced by ethnic minorities, women, and activists. Shawn VanDiver of #AfghanEvac highlights the disproportionate impact on Afghan women, who have been erased from public life under Taliban rule. USRAP was their lifeline, and its suspension has left them without hope or protection. This suspension reflects a broader failure to safeguard vulnerable populations, exacerbating their despair and vulnerability.

Pakistan’s Complex History with Afghan Refugees: A Legacy of Hostility

Pakistan hosts one of the largest refugee populations, with over 3 million Afghans, many fleeing conflicts since the 1980s. However, recent years have seen increased hostility, with crackdowns and deportation threats aiming to pressure the Taliban. Since 2023, 800,000 Afghans have left, yet many remain, living in precarious conditions. The latest wave of refugees, post-2021, adds complexity to Pakistan’s refugee policy, now a tool for political leverage.

The Ongoing Crisis: A Call to Action for International Community

The situation remains dire, with Afghan refugees in Pakistan facing an existential threat. Khalili’s continued hiding underscores the desperate reality, as she and others risk arrest, torture, or death upon return to Afghanistan. The suspension of USRAP and Pakistan’s repatriation plan symbolize a broader failure of international commitments. The crisis demands urgent action to honor promises of protection and prevent further human rights violations. The international community must act swiftly to secure safe pathways for resettlement and uphold the dignity of those who once allied with them.