Wed Feb 19 11:28:36 UTC 2025: ## Pakistan Faces Backlash Over Forced Relocation of Afghan Refugees
**ISLAMABAD** – The Afghan embassy in Islamabad has issued a strong condemnation of Pakistan’s plan to forcibly relocate all Afghan refugees from the capital and surrounding areas, accusing the Pakistani government of arbitrary arrests, searches, and expulsion orders. The embassy claims this action, undertaken without formal communication, is part of a broader plan to deport all Afghan refugees from Pakistan in the near future.
The announcement comes amid escalating tensions between the two countries, with Pakistan blaming Afghanistan for cross-border attacks. While Pakistan previously announced a ban on Afghan refugees residing in Islamabad and Rawalpindi following protests last November, the current actions mark a significant escalation.
Pakistan’s repatriation program, launched in November 2023, aims to return millions of Afghans regardless of their legal status. Although the government claims registered refugees have extensions until June 2025, the embassy alleges that this promise is not being upheld. A three-phase plan, outlined last month, sets a March 31st deadline for the removal of Afghan refugees from Islamabad and Rawalpindi.
This forced relocation impacts a significant population; Pakistan hosts over 2.5 million Afghans, roughly half registered with the UNHCR. The situation is further complicated by the recent pause in US refugee programs, leaving approximately 20,000 Afghans in Pakistan in limbo, many of whom had been approved for resettlement in the United States. The Afghan embassy has expressed deep concern over the mass expulsion and the lack of consultation with Afghan authorities. The escalating crisis raises serious humanitarian concerns and further strains the already fragile relationship between Afghanistan and Pakistan.
First Piper 