Mass Exodus: One Million Afghans Leave Pakistan Amid Expulsions

For decades, millions of Afghan nationals have sought refuge in Pakistan, fleeing ongoing conflicts and instability in their home country. However, the Pakistani government has recently intensified efforts to repatriate these individuals, leading to a significant outflow of refugees back to Afghanistan.

As part of a large-scale expulsion campaign, authorities in Islamabad announced that approximately one million Afghan refugees have returned to Afghanistan since the initiative began. The expulsions, which started in late 2023, have prompted many individuals to leave voluntarily to avoid forced deportation.

The Red Crescent Society has raised alarms regarding the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Afghanistan under Taliban rule, highlighting that many refugees are returning without their possessions or means of livelihood. A considerable number of those departing Pakistan were born there and have little to no familiarity with the country of their parents.

The Pakistani government has outlined plans to expel up to three million Afghan refugees in total. The mass deportations of undocumented Afghan nationals commenced in November 2023, and the current wave of expulsions has now extended to include registered refugees.

In response to the influx of returnees, temporary camps have been established at border points in Afghanistan, according to the Taliban's Ministry of Refugees. Observers suggest that the Pakistani government may be leveraging the situation to exert pressure on the Taliban, as Pakistan grapples with escalating violence from militant groups and accuses the Afghan leadership of harboring these elements.

The Taliban has denied these accusations, asserting their commitment to maintaining security within Afghanistan. Historically, following the Taliban's return to power in August 2021, there was a significant surge in Afghans fleeing to Pakistan, driven by fears of retaliation from the regime.

This ongoing crisis underscores the complex dynamics of regional security and humanitarian needs, as millions of Afghans continue to navigate the precarious situation created by decades of conflict.