The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has made a significant appeal to Pakistan to halt the deportation of Afghan refugees back to their homeland during the winter season, citing concerns for their safety.
This call comes amidst increasing tension between Kabul and Islamabad over the refugee situation.
According to a report by the Afghan news agency Khama Press on Friday, the UNHCR emphasized in a press statement the need for Pakistani authorities to identify those at risk and in need of international protection.
The agency stressed that the return of these refugees to Afghanistan should be voluntary.
The Khama Press report highlighted that the Pakistani government's decision to deport over a million undocumented refugees, mostly Afghans, has escalated tensions with Kabul authorities.
It is estimated that about four million Afghan migrants and refugees reside in Pakistan, with approximately 1.7 million lacking proper documentation.
The report further revealed that Pakistani police are conducting house-to-house searches for refugees who have not voluntarily left Pakistan.
Many Afghans are hiding within Pakistan to avoid deportation, fearing the deteriorating conditions in Afghanistan.
In a related development, Afghan news channel Tolo News reported that civil society activists in Pakistan are calling for a halt to the arrests and forced deportations of Afghan refugees.
These activists argue that many of the refugees still face challenging conditions amidst the current situation in Afghanistan.
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