Thousands of Afghan refugees in Pakistan, including those awaiting resettlement in the United States, face the threat of deportation following a shift in US immigration policy. A newly drafted three-stage plan by Pakistan’s government requires Afghan nationals seeking third-country resettlement to leave Islamabad and Rawalpindi by March 31, 2025. Those who remain beyond the deadline will be sent back to Afghanistan.
The policy comes after a surge of Afghan refugees into Pakistan following the Taliban’s takeover in 2021. Many had worked with US and NATO forces and fled in fear of persecution. With resettlement programs now stalled, these refugees are left in limbo.
The United Nations and international humanitarian organisations have raised concerns over the potential consequences for those forcibly returned. Certain groups, including women, journalists, and activists, are particularly vulnerable under the current regime in Afghanistan.
Pakistan has hosted millions of Afghan refugees for decades, with migration waves dating back to the Soviet invasion in the 1980s and later conflicts. However, in recent years, authorities have ramped up measures to control undocumented migration and pressure the Taliban to address cross-border security concerns. Reports indicate that thousands of refugees have already left as part of earlier crackdowns, while many others remain in hiding.
The situation remains uncertain for those still in Pakistan, as advocacy groups urge foreign governments to expedite resettlement processes before the deportation deadline. The outcome of these efforts will determine the fate of thousands who fear a forced return to Afghanistan.