Pakistan intensifies deportation of undocumented Afghans citing security concerns

Pakistan has intensified its actions against undocumented Afghan migrants, launching a new deportation campaign after the expiration of a government deadline for their departure. Authorities say they are enforcing immigration laws and acting on national security grounds, responding to criticism over the operation.

According to the United Nations, hundreds of thousands of Afghans have already returned to a country they once fled. This group includes not only those without legal documents but also refugees and Afghan citizen card holders – individuals who previously had legal status in Pakistan.

The deportation campaign coincides with rising political tensions between Islamabad and Kabul. Both countries have exchanged accusations, with Pakistan stating that its actions are not politically motivated but based on security necessities. However, the events underscore a deterioration in relations between the neighboring states.

For its part, Afghanistan faces a massive influx of returnees. Kabul must address the humanitarian and logistical challenges posed by this sudden population movement, even as the international community has expressed concerns about the scale and conditions of the deportations.