Islamabad, Pakistan – For Mohammad Laal Khan, Pakistan has always been home. Born in the tribal district of South Waziristan, he has spent his life in the suburbs of Islamabad, where he married, raised children, and made countless memories. Yet a police raid in November last year altered his reality and heightened his anxiety about the future.
Khan’s family relocated to Islamabad after fleeing the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan in the 1980s. Since the early 1990s, they have lived in mud-plastered homes situated in areas lacking basic amenities. Today, Khan finds himself on a government list earmarked for deportation.
Living as an Afghan in Pakistan has become increasingly fraught, as Khan shared, “It feels like being an Afghan is a curse upon our existence.” Despite their pleas, four of his brothers were briefly detained under the allegation of residing in the country unlawfully. Fortunately, they were released after two weeks on bail, yet the fear of deportation looms large over Khan’s family.
The Pakistani government estimates that over 2.5 million Afghans currently reside in the country. A recent crackdown initiated by authorities aims to expel undocumented Afghans, including those holding Afghan Citizenship Cards (ACC). This initiative further accentuates the challenges faced by families who have spent their entire lives in Pakistan, such as Khan’s.
Pakistan’s government has articulated a phased relocation plan, starting with undocumented individuals, including ACC holders. As a forthcoming deadline draws near, many Afghans fear losing the only life they have ever known. Critics point to the potential harm this policy can inflict on families who have built lives, businesses, and communities within Pakistan’s border.
Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry has reiterated the government’s position, asserting that Pakistan has generously hosted Afghan refugees for decades. However, as tensions have escalated due to attacks linked to insurgent groups allegedly operating from Afghanistan, calls for the return of Afghan nationals have intensified.
Human rights organizations, including Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International, have criticized Pakistan’s plans, urging the government to reconsider its approach and to allow Afghan nationals to seek protection rather than facing coercive expulsion. Advocacy for a humane resolution highlights the necessity for dialogue between Pakistan and Afghanistan to ensure a dignified and voluntary return for those displaced.
The impact of this harsh policy impacts not only individuals like Khan but also those running small businesses. Benazir Raofi, an Afghan who has lived in Pakistan for 35 years, takes pride in her vibrant café, which she built with community support. Despite her success, the imminent deportation plans have unsettled her and her clientele, further complicating an already challenging situation.
As Pakistan and Afghanistan find themselves at a crossroads, the international community watches closely, hoping for solutions that recognize the longstanding ties between the two nations while ensuring the protection and dignity of all individuals affected.
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