Following the recent arbitrary detention of Afghan refugees in Pakistan, the UNHCR in Islamabad called on the Pakistani government to stop detaining and deporting refugees.
Qaisar Afridi, the spokesperson of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in conversation with Radio Mashal confirmed that Pakistani officials will resolve the Afghan immigrants’ issue in the near future. Mr. Afridi further added that Pakistani authorities have shown commitment to resolving the issue.
Additionally, on the occasion of World Refugee Day, some human rights organizations demanded solutions to the challenges of Afghan refugees in Pakistan.
On June 20, Amnesty International asked the Pakistani government to end the arbitrary detention and harassment of Afghan refugees residing in Pakistan.
This comes as Afghan refugees have recently complained about harassment by Pakistani police to Amnesty International.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Refugees and Repatriation of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan has announced that nearly 1.5 million Afghan refugees have returned to the country since the group seized power in August 2021.
Hina Rabbani Khar, the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs of Pakistan said that besides economic challenges, the Pakistani government has kept its borders open to Afghan migrants and other refugees.
Rabbani said Pakistan wants a voluntary return of Afghan refugees to their country where they could live in peace and harmony.
Since the return of the Taliban to power in 2021, the number of Afghan refugees in Pakistan has unprecedentedly increased mainly due to security and economic reasons.
