Pakistan Faces Backlash Over Forced Deportation of Afghan Refugees Pakistan's recent implementation of mass deportations of Afghan refugees residing illegally within its borders has sparked international outcry and condemnation. The Pakistani government had previously given Afghan refugees an ultimatum, forcing them to choose between leaving voluntarily or facing arrest and forced deportation. Heart-wrenching scenes of bulldozers demolishing the mud houses of Afghan refugees have emerged on social media, highlighting the plight of these individuals who were born and raised in Pakistan but now face an uncertain future in a war-torn and economically unstable Afghanistan.

The decision to deport Afghan refugees has drawn the ire of the international community, with the United Nations expressing alarm and warning of potential human rights violations if these individuals are returned to Afghanistan. The UN has called on Pakistan to continue protecting vulnerable Afghans who sought refuge within its borders. Even Afghanistan itself has condemned Pakistan's actions. Acting Defense Minister Mawlawi Mohammad Yaqoob Mujahid warned Pakistan to treat the refugees with dignity and respect their personal property. He cautioned that mistreating Afghan refugees could severely damage diplomatic relations between the two countries.

In response to the deportations, the Taliban, the de facto government in Afghanistan, has established a commission to provide essential services to the returning refugees. However, fears persist among the refugees due to the Taliban's history of repressive measures, including music bans and targeted attacks on musicians and women's rights activists. These forced deportations shed light on the dire circumstances facing Afghan refugees who are being sent back to a country where they risk persecution and human rights violations. The international community, led by the United Nations, has called on Pakistan to reconsider its decision and ensure the protection of these vulnerable individuals.

Meanwhile, Afghanistan has criticized Pakistan for its unilateral decision to expel refugees without consulting Kabul. Afghanistan's interim defense minister, Mullah Muhammad Yaqub Mujahid, called on Pakistan to refrain from using force or cruel tactics against Afghans returning to their homeland and urged them not to seize their properties and assets.

Mujahid also called on the international community, the UN, and other organizations to pressure Pakistan to stop its "arrogant actions against refugees." He emphasized that if Pakistan does send refugees back to Afghanistan, it should do so with dignity. The ongoing situation threatens to severely damage relations between Afghanistan and Pakistan. Therefore, the Pakistani administration should carefully consider the consequences of its actions and take steps to rectify the situation. While Pakistan claims that a significant number of Afghan refugees are undocumented, refugee groups have called for a reconsideration of the mass expulsion.