A number of Afghan human rights activists and journalists, led by Fawzia Koofi, a former member of parliament and a well-known advocate for women’s rights, have officially met with Pakistani officials to demand a halt to the deportation of at-risk Afghan refugees from Pakistan.
This meeting was held with members of Pakistan’s Foreign Relations Committee of Parliament, including Hina Rabbani Khar and Mohammad Sadiq Khan, Pakistan’s former special envoy for Afghanistan. During this meeting, a five-point proposal was presented to the Pakistani officials, including urgent requests for the protection of Afghan refugees.
According to a statement released after the meeting, many Afghan refugees were forced to flee their country due to direct threats from the Taliban and now live under difficult conditions in Pakistan without access to basic services.
The activists warned that deporting these individuals—especially women, journalists, human rights defenders, and former military personnel—could have serious life-threatening consequences.
One of the proposed solutions was to create a specific list of individuals under threat, registered with international organizations, to help prevent forced deportation. They also called for the simplification of the visa issuance and renewal process, with a minimum validity of six months for these refugees.
During the meeting, the activists proposed that designated locations be set for the temporary accommodation of refugees so they can be more effectively supported and monitored in case of administrative delays.
In their joint statement, the activists emphasized the need for coordination among the government of Pakistan, the United Nations, and international organizations to urgently provide accommodation, healthcare, education, and security services to Afghan refugees. They also called for the establishment of a clear body to follow up on the legal and administrative challenges faced by refugees.
They stated: “We see Pakistan as a temporary and safe refuge, not another threat. Our only request is to live in safety and continue our humanitarian and professional activities.”
This meeting took place amid increasing pressure on Afghan refugees in Pakistan, where thousands are facing the risk of arrest and deportation.
According to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), during the second phase of forced deportations, 44,900 Afghan refugees have left Pakistan in the past ten days.
