RASC News Agency: A group of Afghanistani human rights defenders and journalists, led by Fawzia Koofi, former Member of Parliament and prominent women’s rights advocate, held a high-level meeting with senior Pakistani officials, appealing for immediate protection of Afghanistani refugees facing imminent deportation. The meeting, which brought together members of Pakistan’s Parliamentary Committee on Foreign Affairs including Hina Rabbani Khar and Mohammad Sadiq Khan, former Special Representative for Afghanistan served as a platform to present a detailed five-point proposal aimed at securing safeguards for vulnerable Afghanistani migrants.
In a joint statement released following the talks, the delegation underscored that thousands of Afghanistani citizens were forced to flee due to direct threats from the Taliban and now find themselves stranded in Pakistan without legal status, access to essential services, or adequate humanitarian support. The group warned that forced repatriation, especially of women, journalists, former military personnel, and human rights activists, could have severe and potentially fatal consequences. They urged the creation of a verified registry of high-risk individuals, compiled in coordination with international agencies, to prevent arbitrary deportations.
The delegation also called on Pakistani authorities to simplify and expedite the visa issuance and renewal process, recommending a minimum six-month validity to ensure stability for those seeking temporary protection. They further requested the establishment of designated shelters for at-risk individuals awaiting legal processing, to provide immediate humanitarian care and institutional oversight. The statement highlighted the urgent need for coordinated action between the Government of Pakistan, the United Nations, and international aid agencies to deliver comprehensive support ranging from shelter and healthcare to education and security for Afghanistani refugees.
Moreover, the group proposed the creation of a dedicated legal and administrative body to handle the specific needs and documentation of Afghanistani nationals, aimed at preventing further displacement, confusion, and neglect. “We see Pakistan as a temporary refuge, not another threat,” the statement read. “Our only request is to live in safety and continue our humanitarian and professional missions with dignity.” The meeting took place against the backdrop of escalating pressure on Afghanistani refugees in Pakistan, where thousands now face the threat of detention or involuntary repatriation.
The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) reported that, since the launch of the second phase of Pakistan’s forced deportation campaign, over 44,900 Afghanistani nationals have been expelled from the country in the past ten days alone.
