• The Afghan embassy in Islamabad warns of a significant crackdown on Afghan refugees in Pakistan.
• Thousands are reportedly facing arrests and forced relocations amid escalating tensions.
• Pakistan plans to expel all Afghan nationals from Islamabad and Rawalpindi by late March 2025.

The Afghan embassy in Islamabad has issued a harsh warning regarding the imminent mass expulsion of Afghan refugees from Pakistan as authorities ramp up efforts to deport those living in the capital and the vicinity. This comes as police operations have reportedly targeted Afghan nationals with arrests and strict orders to relocate away from Islamabad and Rawalpindi, according to statements from the embassy reported by India Times and Al Jazeera.

The embassy revealed that this process began without prior announcement and highlighted that the Pakistani government did not formally inform Kabul about its plans. Officials from Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs acknowledged plans to deport all Afghan refugees not only from the major cities but from the entire country, escalating concerns about safety and human rights for the affected populations, as cited in a VOA News report.

Approximately 2.5 million Afghans currently reside in Pakistan, with many being legal refugees recognized by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). However, the recent deterioration in Pakistan-Afghanistan relations comes amid allegations from Islamabad that Afghan nationals have been part of rising criminal activities within the country. Officials indicated a systematic plan for the repatriation of illegal Afghan immigrants, providing a deadline of March 31 for displacement from metropolitan regions, pushing the total number of individuals targeted into the large thousands. The Taliban's embassy expressed deep concerns regarding the one-sided nature of this plan and its implications for the refugees' future.

The situation remains precarious for the Afghan community, many of whom fled to Pakistan following the Taliban's takeover of Afghanistan in 2021. Some of these refugees had been previously approved for relocation to third countries, including the United States, through various special programs designed for individuals facing persecution due to their association with foreign governments or entities.

As the official timeline for these expulsions approaches, international organizations and rights advocates are closely monitoring the situation, urging for humane treatment and the respect of international obligations concerning refugees.