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Deportation of Afghans by Pakistan

Filed with Immigration MOC · Related: Social Issues MOC · 60.3.1 - Foreign Policy

The deportation of Afghans from Pakistan has a complex history, deeply intertwined with the geopolitical and socio-economic dynamics of the region. Below is a detailed timeline highlighting key events and policies related to the deportation of Afghans from Pakistan:

Timeline of Deportation of Afghans from Pakistan

1979-1989: Soviet-Afghan War

  • 1979: The Soviet invasion of Afghanistan triggers a massive influx of Afghan refugees into Pakistan. Over three million Afghans seek refuge in Pakistan during this period[1][2][5].

1990s: Civil War and Taliban Rise

  • 1992: The fall of the communist government in Afghanistan leads to civil war among various factions, causing further displacement of Afghans to Pakistan[2].
  • 1996: The Taliban capture Kabul, leading to more Afghans fleeing to Pakistan[2].

2001-2021: U.S. Invasion and Taliban Resurgence

  • 2001: The U.S. invasion of Afghanistan following the 9/11 attacks results in another wave of Afghan refugees entering Pakistan[1][5].
  • 2021: The U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan and the subsequent Taliban takeover lead to a significant increase in Afghan refugees seeking safety in Pakistan[1][3][6].

2016: Mass Deportation Campaign

  • 2016: Pakistan initiates a campaign to deport nearly 600,000 Afghans, citing security concerns. This includes 365,000 registered refugees. Human rights organizations report widespread abuses during this campaign[15].

2023: Renewed Deportation Efforts

  • October 3, 2023: Pakistan’s caretaker government orders all undocumented immigrants, including approximately 1.7 million Afghans, to leave the country by November 1 or face deportation. This marks the beginning of a new mass deportation campaign[1][9][16].
  • November 1, 2023: The deadline for undocumented Afghans to leave Pakistan voluntarily. Reports indicate that over 450,000 Afghans have already left by this date[4][9][12].
  • November 2023: Human rights organizations document widespread abuses, including arbitrary arrests, detentions, and harassment of Afghan refugees by Pakistani authorities[4][10][15].

2024: Continued Deportations and International Reactions

  • April 2024: The Pakistani government plans to expand and expedite its deportation efforts, targeting Afghan Citizen Card (ACC) holders and potentially those with Proof of Registration (PoR) cards. This phase is expected to begin after Eid-ul-Fitr[18].
  • April 1, 2024: An estimated 746,800 Afghans have been deported from Pakistan by this date[1].

Key Issues and Impacts

  • Security Concerns: The Pakistani government cites increased terrorist activities and security threats as primary reasons for the deportations. Officials claim that Afghan nationals were involved in several suicide bombings and militant attacks within Pakistan[1][9][13].
  • Human Rights Violations: Numerous reports highlight the harsh conditions faced by deported Afghans, including lack of shelter, food, and safety in Afghanistan. Human rights organizations criticize Pakistan for violating international laws and principles of non-refoulement[3][4][10][15][18].
  • Economic and Social Impact: The deportations have significant socio-economic implications for both Pakistan and Afghanistan. Many Afghans have lived in Pakistan for decades, contributing to the local economy and society. Their sudden expulsion disrupts their lives and exacerbates the humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan[3][7][13].

This timeline provides a comprehensive overview of the key events and policies related to the deportation of Afghans from Pakistan, highlighting the ongoing challenges and humanitarian concerns associated with these actions.

Citations:
[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deportation_of_undocumented_Afghans_from_Pakistan
[2] https://www.pjia.com.pk/index.php/pjia/article/download/14/28
[3] https://humanrightsfirst.org/library/pakistan-must-stop-sending-afghan-refugees-back-to-danger/
[4] https://www.hrw.org/news/2023/11/28/pakistan-widespread-abuses-force-afghans-leave
[5] https://qurtuba.edu.pk/thedialogue/The%20Dialogue/4_1/02_ashraf.pdf
[6] https://reporting.unhcr.org/operational/operations/pakistan
[7] https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2023/11/16/afghanistan-refugees-deported-pakistan-taliban/
[8] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afghanistan%E2%80%93Pakistan_relations
[9] https://www.cfr.org/in-brief/why-pakistan-deporting-afghan-migrants
[10] https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2023/11/pakistan-halt-mass-detentions-and-deportations-of-afghan-refugees/
[11] https://www.hrw.org/report/2017/02/13/pakistan-coercion-un-complicity/mass-forced-return-afghan-refugees
[12] https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/pakistan-deported-afghans-waiting-us-resettlement-sources-2023-12-26/
[13] https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/11/22/whats-wrong-the-silence-of-pakistanis-on-expulsion-of-afghan-refugees
[14] https://www.rferl.org/a/pakistan-afghan-refugees-expulsions-campaign-second-phase/32870404.html
[15] https://www.jurist.org/commentary/2023/11/pakistans-forced-deportation-of-afghan-refugees-a-violation-of-human-rights-and-international-law/
[16] https://researchbriefings.files.parliament.uk/documents/CBP-9905/CBP-9905.pdf
[17] https://newlinesmag.com/first-person/pakistans-expulsion-of-afghan-refugees-echoes-a-40-year-history/
[18] https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2024/04/pakistan-government-must-halt-deportation-of-afghan-refugees/
[19] https://time.com/6330122/pakistan-afganistan-refugees/

https://www.cfr.org/sites/default/files/image/2023/12/pakistan_terrorism_map_0.png

https://d3jwam0i5codb7.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Repatriation-Numbers-2.png