BERLIN — Members of the Pashtun Tahafuz Movement (PTM) held a large protest in Germany on Saturday, denouncing Pakistan’s ongoing forced deportation of Afghan refugees and calling on international institutions to take urgent action.
The demonstration, organized by PTM’s Germany chapter, brought together dozens of activists who demanded an immediate end to the expulsions. The group appealed to the German government, the European Union, and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) to respond to what they described as the deteriorating situation facing Afghan refugees in Pakistan.
In a statement, the PTM said the protest aimed to raise awareness about the “unlawful deportation and looting” of Afghan refugees and to demand humane, fair, and legal treatment for those displaced by decades of conflict.
Protesters held placards and chanted slogans such as “Stop forced deportations,” “Refugees are humans too,” and “Justice for war victims.”
PTM leader Manzoor Pashteen addressed the crowd, criticizing Pakistan’s treatment of Afghan refugees and accusing the government of violating humanitarian principles.
“Afghans were forced to migrate 40 years ago due to Pakistan’s strategic interests and the interference of global powers,” Pashteen said. “Pakistan received billions of dollars in aid in the name of Afghan refugees, and now it is expelling them in ways that show a complete disregard for human dignity and international law.”
He called on the international community to stand in support of Afghan refugees and ensure their rights are protected.
Pakistan began the second phase of its deportation campaign on April 10. According to humanitarian organizations, an estimated 20,000 Afghans are now leaving Pakistan each day, either voluntarily or under pressure of expulsion.
