Thousands of Afghans have crossed the border from Pakistan in recent days, as the UN and Pakistani officials report Islamabad is intensifying efforts to deport Afghan nationals. The Pakistani government has launched a new phase of its repatriation campaign following the March 31 deadline, targeting Afghan Citizen Card (ACC) holders — a group estimated by the UN to number around 800,000.
Afghans holding ACCs were told to voluntarily return or face forced deportation. As of Tuesday, the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) reported that at least 8,906 Afghans have been deported since April 1. A Pakistani government official confirmed the crackdown, saying, “Our campaign is gaining momentum, and the crackdown against illegal immigrants has been intensified.”
The Taliban government in Kabul has strongly condemned Pakistan’s actions, criticizing the use of force and what it describes as the “inhumane treatment” of Afghan returnees. Human rights organizations have also raised concerns over the lack of safeguards for vulnerable individuals, including women, children, and former government employees at risk under Taliban rule.
Many of those returning to Afghanistan face an uncertain future, with limited access to shelter, jobs, and basic services amid the ongoing economic and humanitarian crisis in the country.
UN agencies and humanitarian partners are urging Pakistan to ensure safe, dignified, and voluntary returns while calling on the international community to increase support for both displaced Afghans and host countries.
