Violation of Afghan refugees’ rights in Pakistan - a myth

Pakistan’s deportation of illegal immigrants is a sovereign right driven by security, economic strain, and legal enforcement, yet it faces disproportionate criticism. Meanwhile, the US justifies similar policies on national security and economic grounds.

Pakistan’s policy on illegal immigrants aligns with global norms. No nation is obligated to host illegal immigrants indefinitely, and Pakistan is enforcing a legal and just policy to safeguard its security, economy, and sovereignty.

Under the new Trump administration, the US is deporting thousands under national security concerns without backlash, yet Pakistan faces criticism for enforcing similar laws.

Afghan influencers who fueled hysteria over Pakistan’s deportations are silent on Trump’s policy, which has left thousands of Afghan asylum seekers stranded.

PTM and Afghan officials exploit the situation for political gain, distorting Pakistan’s lawful policy while ignoring its decades-long generosity in hosting over 4 million Afghan refugees despite significant economic and security challenges.

As a non-signatory to the 1951 UN Refugee Convention, Pakistan has no obligation to accommodate or legislate on refugees. Afghan nationals remain in Pakistan as a goodwill gesture, not due to any international commitment.

UNHCR unilaterally registered thousands of asylum seekers without Pakistan’s coordination, undermining its sovereignty. Additionally, international actors like the US and UK disrupted the Illegal Foreigners' Repatriation Plan (IFRP) process by submitting large exemption lists, causing unnecessary delays.

Global HR watchdogs pressuring Pakistan refuse to take responsibility for these so-called ‘vulnerable communities.’ If the West truly cares, it should offer asylum to Afghans instead of expecting Pakistan to bear the burden alone.

Pakistan’s security measures are essential and not hostile as evident from following few recent facts:

225 Afghans arrested for street crimes in Karachi (Jan 30, 2025).

PKR35 Million loot recovered from Afghan robbers (Jan 25, 2025).

30 percent crime surge in Peshawar (Nov 2024); 60 percent of street crime suspects are Afghans.

352 Afghan criminals arrested in Peshawar’s crackdown (Nov 2024).

A militant Mohammad Khan Ahmed Khel killed in a Zhob clash was also an Afghan national (Jan 2025).