The Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) province in Pakistan has taken a firm stand against the federal government’s refugee deportation policy, announcing that no Afghan refugee will be deported by force. The provincial leadership labeled the central government’s approach as “flawed” and expressed its commitment to uphold humanitarian values.
This decision comes in contrast to the federal crackdown currently underway in various parts of the country. The Pakistani government had set a March 31 deadline for all Afghan refugees, including Afghan Citizen Card (ACC) holders, to voluntarily return to Afghanistan or face forced deportation. Despite international criticism, operations to expel refugees have commenced in cities such as Rawalpindi, Islamabad, and Karachi.
Addressing a press conference in Islamabad, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur, a leader of Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), made it clear that his administration would not support the forced repatriation of Afghan nationals. “We will not deport anyone forcefully. If someone chooses to return voluntarily, we are prepared to facilitate that process,” he stated. Gandapur also criticized the federal government’s handling of the situation, saying the policy lacks both strategic and humanitarian foresight.
In parallel, law enforcement agencies in Rawalpindi and Islamabad detained around 60 Afghan migrants as part of the deportation drive. Meanwhile, Karachi authorities have initiated the return of approximately 16,138 ACC holders, with over 150 Afghans already taken into custody.
The international community has voiced deep concerns about Pakistan’s stance. The UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has appealed to Islamabad to reconsider its directive and allow time for dignified, voluntary returns. UNHCR spokesperson Qaiser Khan Afridi warned that among those being deported, there may be individuals who qualify for international protection.
Afghanistan’s Taliban-led government has also urged Pakistan to delay deportations. Mawlavi Abdul Kabir, the Afghan Minister of Refugees and Repatriation, called on both Pakistan and Iran to treat Afghan refugees humanely and allow them to return voluntarily, especially amid reports of mistreatment—even of those with valid visas—by border authorities.
Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa hosts the largest Afghan refugee population in Pakistan, with many having lived there for decades. Numerous families have integrated into society, running businesses and contributing to local economies.
As deportations continue across the country, Pakistan’s policy has drawn heavy scrutiny from international human rights organizations, which warn of serious risks awaiting returnees in Afghanistan due to ongoing instability and humanitarian challenges.
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