The UN Refugee Agency Chief in Pakistan expressed concern as the starting deadline for the headlines of the Afghan Citizenship (ACC) approaches, warning that the decision has “shaken” the Afghan community.
As part of the Government’s plan to repatriate all illegal foreigners, on March 31 it was officially established as the deadline for ACC holders to abandon Pakistan voluntarily, with a renewed warning of the Ministry of Interior that mass deportations would begin later.
In an Eidul Fitr message, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) representative of Pakistan Philippa Candler expressed their concerns since Pakistani officials have ruled out any change in the deadline.
“Pakistan houses 1.52 million registered Afghan refugees and asylum seekers, approximately 800,000 headlines of Afghan citizenship, along with others living in the country without official recognition,” he said in the message, entitled “A call to compassion: Afghan refugees in Pakistan and the way to hope.”
The UNHCR representative said she visited an Afghan family last week who had sought refuge here in 2022 after fleeing Afghanistan in a hurry, leaving behind everything they knew in search of peace and security.
“It was heartbreaking to see how fearful they were forced to return. His hopes and dreams have been destroyed.”
Candler added that the Afghan who entered Pakistan were part of the workforce, began business and contributed to the country.
“Over time, Afghan refugees have interwoven in the fabric of Pakistan society,” he wrote.
“Despite their contributions to Pakistan, Afghans often face discrimination, limited access to formal employment and the lack of legal rights that make their lives insecure and push many outside society.”
The UNHCR representative said that the last government directives represented a significant interruption in the fabric of many communities.
“The dislocation of the communities that have received them and a possible forced return to Afghanistan, when there have been little chances of planning how to rebuild their lives there, it is unlikely to be sustainable,” said Philippa Candler.
Meanwhile, officials in the Khyber district say that temporary camps have been established in Landi Kotal and also in Peshawar to facilitate the repatriation of refugees.
Also in Afghanistan, the Taliban authorities have made arrangements to welcome refugees in Torkham, Qureshi Badloon, a spokesman for Nangarhar’s government to said Dawn.com.
Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi, at a meeting with the special representative of Pakistan for Afghanistan Mohammad Sadiq in Kabul last week, had asked Pakistan to give more time to ACC holders as repatriation of so many people could create difficulties for their government.
Solutions that work for all
In his message, Candler said the situation required a multifaceted approach.
“First, Pakistan and Afghanistan must work together to make sure that Afghan refugees can return voluntarily and safely home,” he wrote. “Forced returns do not make anyone favor, and they are not sustainable: many of those who push back in 2023 are again in Pakistan.
“Sustainable return means creating a peaceful and safe environment in Afghanistan, so that refugees do not have to fear persecution or discrimination when they return,” Candler wrote.
The UNHCR representative stressed that many Afghans have gone to other countries, while thousands still remain in Pakistan. “The UNHCR is asking for its fast outings, which means a lasting solution and stability for refugees,” he wrote.
Candler praised the old hospitality of Pakistan towards Afghan refugees, but acknowledged that Pakistan cannot carry this responsibility forever.
“The solution lies in all of us working together, Afghanistan, Pakistan and the international community, to create a comprehensive approach that addresses the immediate needs and long term of Pakistan, Afghanistan and the Afghan themselves.”
