UN experts have recently warned against the imminent expulsion of Afghan refugees from Pakistan, saying that women and girls are among the most vulnerable groups who would face serious risks if forcibly returned to Afghanistan.
In a statement, the experts noted that while millions of Afghans are on the verge of deportation from Pakistan, Afghanistan itself is grappling with severe crises and is unprepared to absorb such a large wave of returnees.
The statement said that millions of Afghans in Pakistan are at risk of being sent back to a country facing a deep humanitarian crisis, where women and girls are deprived of their most basic rights, including freedom of movement, education, and employment.
The experts further warned that mass deportations from Pakistan would halt the education of thousands of Afghan children and adolescents—particularly girls, who are already banned from schooling beyond grade six in Afghanistan.
They added that women heads of households, as well as those without a male guardian, would be placed in especially difficult situations if deported, since they lack both safe shelter and support networks to ensure their security and livelihoods.
According to the UN experts, the principle of non-refoulement is a binding obligation under international law, and no country has the right to return individuals to places where their life or freedom would be at risk.
They called on the Government of Pakistan to immediately halt the deportation plan and honor its international commitments.
The statement also stressed that Afghan women and girls, already suffering under the restrictions imposed by the de facto authorities, face a heightened risk of exclusion, and deportations would further endanger their lives and futures.
While appreciating Pakistan’s decades-long hosting of millions of Afghan refugees, the experts urged the international community to step up support for Afghan women and girls and take greater responsibility in their resettlement.
It should be noted that on July 31, the Pakistani government announced that under the “Illegal Foreigners Repatriation Plan,” all Afghans—including holders of Proof of Registration (PoR) cards—must leave the country by September 1.
