ISLAMABAD — A delegation of civil society activists and journalists, led by Fawzia Koofi, a former member of parliament and women’s rights advocate, has urged Pakistani authorities to halt the deportation of Afghan refugees facing imminent threats.
In a high-level meeting with members of Pakistan’s Parliamentary Committee on Foreign Affairs — including Hina Rabbani Khar and Mohammad Sadiq Khan, the special representative for Afghanistan — the group presented a five-point proposal outlining measures to protect at-risk individuals. The activists emphasized the vulnerability of Afghan refugees, many of whom fled Taliban persecution and now live in legal limbo without access to healthcare, education or legal support.
According to a statement issued after the meeting, the deportation of vulnerable groups — including women, journalists, human rights defenders and former military personnel — could have “serious life-threatening consequences.”
The group called for the compilation of a list of at-risk individuals registered with international organizations to prevent forced deportations, and urged Pakistani authorities to streamline visa processes for Afghan migrants, proposing a minimum six-month validity period.
The activists also requested the designation of a dedicated facility to temporarily house refugees awaiting documentation or facing administrative delays, and called for closer coordination between Pakistan, the United Nations and international agencies to ensure refugees have access to housing, healthcare, education and security.
“We see Pakistan as a temporary and safe refuge, not another threat,” the activists said in a statement. “Our only demand is to live in safety and continue our humanitarian and professional work.”
The meeting comes amid a growing crackdown on undocumented Afghan migrants in Pakistan. According to the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), nearly 45,000 Afghan nationals have left Pakistan since April 1, as Islamabad resumed the second phase of its deportation campaign targeting holders of expired Afghan Citizenship Cards.
