Kabul, January 29 – Afghan refugees residing in Pakistan have urgently appealed to both the Pakistani government and Afghan authorities for a negotiated solution to their ongoing crisis. They are requesting a dignified, phased return to Afghanistan with sufficient time to prepare, amid reports from local media highlighting the mounting pressures they face.
The rapid pace of deportations has plunged many Afghan families into severe hardship. Haji Nazar, a prominent refugee voice, urged Pakistani officials to grant a three-month extension. ‘This timeframe would allow us to return home in an orderly manner,’ he told Tolo News, emphasizing the current chaos gripping the community.
Refugee rights activist Allah Mir Miyakhil echoed these sentiments, describing widespread arrests by security agencies. ‘Most refugees need time to wrap up businesses and personal affairs. Many were registered under Proof of Registration cards, now rendered invalid,’ he explained in an interview.
Advocates stress that repatriation must be voluntary and gradual, with international organizations providing support to avert a humanitarian disaster in Afghanistan. Ali Raza Karimi, another activist, pointed out that countless refugees lack basic human rights and live in limbo without proper documentation.
Earlier this month, the Taliban voiced similar concerns, condemning the arrests and mistreatment. Deputy spokesman Hamdullah Fitrat, in an audio message cited by Pajhwok Afghan News, called on the UN and others to enforce refugee protection principles. He demanded economic aid for returnees and an immediate halt to detentions.
As tensions escalate, the plight of these displaced Afghans underscores the fragile state of regional migration policies. With winter approaching and uncertainties in Afghanistan, a compassionate, coordinated approach is more critical than ever to prevent further suffering.