Despite a government crackdown, Afghan refugees remain deeply entrenched in Pakistan’s northwest, where weak enforcement and strong local ties hinder large-scale deportations. Many Afghans are not only living in major cities, where they run small businesses and support their families, but have also established themselves in the northwest province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Although Pakistan’s government is aiming to expel over three million Afghan nationals this year as part of a nationwide push against illegal immigrants, Afghans in the northwest are largely unaffected by the pressure. Many have been in Pakistan for decades, with some families living there for as long as 50 years. These individuals have built lives in the country, married locals, and buried relatives in the region, leading to little desire to leave.
Afghan nationals with proper documentation, such as an Afghan Citizen Card, are among those expected to depart, with over a third of them residing in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. However, the exact number of undocumented Afghans remains uncertain. Despite the government’s efforts, the provincial government’s reluctance to carry out mass deportations is clear, and challenges like mountainous terrain, sectarian violence, and numerous armed groups make enforcement difficult.
Local citizens argue that complete repatriation of Afghans, especially from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, is practically impossible. Many villages along the border are divided between Pakistan and Afghanistan, with cross-border movement having been common for the past few decades. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s proximity to Afghanistan and the shared ethnic, cultural, and linguistic connections make it a natural refuge for Afghans. Over the years, many refugees have integrated into local communities, marrying Pakistani nationals and establishing roots in the region.
Although the provincial government has been cooperating with federal authorities on this issue, the implementation of repatriation measures has been slow. Some locals believe that the government may be more sympathetic to Afghan refugees due to shared cultural ties and the fact that former Prime Minister Imran Khan opposed harsh treatment of refugees during his tenure.
The lack of aggressive enforcement is often cited as the main reason for the slow pace of repatriation. Furthermore, there is external pressure from human rights groups, aid agencies, and Afghanistan’s Taliban government, all of which may influence Pakistan’s stance on deportations.
Since early April, over 60,000 Afghans have crossed back into Afghanistan through the Torkham and Spin Boldak border points, as part of the second phase of Pakistan’s repatriation plan. While many of those deported come from regions far from the border, like eastern Punjab, the IOM (International Organization for Migration) has noted that the rising number of returns is putting a strain on both the border areas and regions in Afghanistan that are absorbing these returnees.
The current deportation effort follows Pakistan’s announcement of a three-phase plan to expel up to three million Afghans. As of early April, the government set a deadline for the departure of 800,000 Afghans holding Afghan Citizen Cards. Many families have been seen crowding the border crossings, carrying their belongings as they leave Pakistan. This mass migration echoes scenes from 2023 when tens of thousands of Afghans fled deportation threats.
Among those facing deportation is Afghan journalist Freshta Sadid, who holds a valid exit permit. However, rights groups are calling for urgent action to protect her, as she is reportedly on the Taliban’s “hit list.”
Pakistan is not a signatory to the 1951 UN Refugee Convention and lacks domestic laws to protect refugees. This legal gap contributes to the uncertainty faced by many Afghans seeking international protection in the country.
