As the deportation of undocumented Afghan migrants continues from Pakistan, authorities in Pakistan reported that 2,668 immigrants were repatriated to Afghanistan on Wednesday, Nov. 22, a slight decrease from the previous day’s expulsion numbers.
The repatriations occurred through the Chaman and Torkham border crossings, as detailed by Pakistani media.
According to figures provided by Pakistani authorities, a total of 245,833 Afghans have been repatriated to Afghanistan.
This development comes amidst serious concerns raised by the United Nations refugee agency, UNHCR, on Wednesday, regarding Pakistan’s plans to round up and expel undocumented foreigners, particularly from neighboring Afghanistan.
The UNHCR is urging Pakistan to halt the deportation process, emphasizing the severe humanitarian consequences as winter sets in.
Babar Baloch, the UNHCR Regional Spokesman, informed Reuters that the agency is deeply troubled by the mass deportations, especially given the intensification of harsh winter weather in Afghanistan.
The situation leaves thousands of refugees without shelter and exacerbates an already severe humanitarian crisis.
According to Baloch, since the deportation order was announced, nearly 400,000 Afghans have returned to Afghanistan, many in fear, haste, and uncertainty about their destinations within Afghanistan due to prolonged absence.
