UNHCR Urges Pakistan To Halt Deportation Of Vulnerable Afghan Refugees

(MENAFN- Khaama Press) The UN refugee agency has urged Pakistan to halt deportations of vulnerable Afghans, warning mass returns risk worsening humanitarian crises without urgent international support.
The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has called on Pakistan to stop deporting vulnerable Afghan asylum seekers and ensure they receive international protection. The agency stressed that identifying those at risk is essential to preventing further humanitarian suffering.

Speaking from Geneva on September 12, UNHCR representative for Afghanistan Arafat Jamal appealed to Islamabad not to expel Afghans who require protection. He noted that the UN refugee agency was ready to cooperate with Pakistani authorities to identify and safeguard the most vulnerable groups.

Jamal also warned that without fresh funding, the UNHCR would be unable to sustain its life-saving support to Afghan families struggling with overlapping crises. He said the agency had updated its regional appeal and was seeking $258.6 million to address urgent needs.

The appeal comes amid an accelerating wave of returns. Nearly 100,000 Afghans reportedly crossed back from Pakistan during the first week of September alone, creating additional pressure on Afghanistan's already fragile economy and limited public services.

International relief agencies have expressed alarm, warning that the sudden influx of returnees is stretching humanitarian capacity. With severe food shortages, limited shelter, and weak health systems, Afghanistan remains ill-prepared to absorb such high numbers.

Meanwhile, UNHCR has suspended cash assistance to Afghan returnees after the Taliban banned women from working in UN offices. Jamal explained that the move was an operational necessity, not a punitive measure, as many services cannot function without female staff.

According to UN estimates, more than 2.6 million Afghan migrants have been deported from neighboring countries since the start of 2025. The figure underscores the immense scale of forced displacement and the urgent need for regional and international cooperation.

The UNHCR appeal highlights the growing pressure on Pakistan to balance domestic priorities with humanitarian obligations. Without sustained global funding and support, both Pakistan and Afghanistan risk deeper instability, leaving refugee families trapped in worsening hardship.

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