Key takeaways:

• The UN has raised significant concerns over Pakistan's plans to deport Afghan refugees.
• Pakistan's government has initiated a three-phase repatriation plan affecting millions of Afghan nationals.
• Thousands await resettlement in the US, which has been paused under Donald Trump's directives.
• The situation raises grave risks for vulnerable Afghans, including women and human rights activists.
• UN agencies are urging Pakistan to uphold human rights standards during the relocation process.

ISLAMABAD (AP) — The United Nations refugee and migration agencies have expressed grave concerns regarding Pakistan's recent decision to initiate mass deportations of Afghan refugees. This alarming development comes shortly after Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif approved a structured plan aimed at repatriating nearly three million Afghan nationals residing in Pakistan, including those awaiting resettlement in the United States.

Under this three-phase deportation plan, Afghan nationals, including documented refugees and undocumented migrants, are to be relocated from urban areas, particularly Islamabad and Rawalpindi, to designated camps. These individuals face potential deportation back to Afghanistan unless their resettlement cases are processed quickly. The UN agencies, including UNHCR and IOM, have called for clarity regarding both the modalities and timelines for this large-scale relocation as they seek to uphold the fundamental rights of those affected.

The U.S. Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP), which previously offered a pathway for resettlement for many at-risk Afghans, was put on hold following directives from President Donald Trump. This suspension has left approximately 15,000 Afghan allies in Pakistan in uncertainty, with many guardians and advocates fearing the dire consequences of deportation. As asserted by UN agencies, a return could pose serious risks to these individuals, especially vulnerable groups such as women, ethnic minorities, and those who have worked with international organizations.

Afghan nationals such as Shakoofa Khalili, who fled Afghanistan due to the Taliban's repressive regime, are now living in fear of deportation back to a country from which they have sought refuge. Khalili's situation reflects the despair felt by many Afghans who fear returning home equates to a death sentence due to their prior affiliations with the U.S. CNN has highlighted incidents—involving families desperately attempting to remain safe—as examples of the escalating tension faced by the refugee population.

As part of their urgent appeal, UNHCR representatives implore Pakistan to implement relocation measures in accordance with international human rights standards. Their joint statement emphasizes the need to ensure due process for individuals possessing Afghan Citizen Cards, a form of registration for refugees in Pakistan, and indicates that the influx of returning Afghans could exacerbate the humanitarian crisis. According to AP News, since the beginning of 2023, Pakistan has forcibly repatriated more than 800,000 undocumented Afghans. The ongoing crackdown has caused distress among those who lived in hiding, emphasizing the urgent need for a comprehensive human rights-based approach to manage the complex challenges posed by the Afghan refugee crisis.

Both UNHCR and IOM are committed to collaborating with the Pakistani government to devise a functional mechanism to register and support Afghan nationals, eyeing avenues for tailored solutions that could facilitate their safe relocation and resettlement.

As international discussions around Afghan refugee status continue, the humanitarian needs of those affected cannot be overlooked, as many continue to face increasing pressure and uncertainty regarding their futures.

For more details, visit VOA News.