Pakistan Deportations Stranding Over One Million Afghan Refugees Amid Taliban Risks

Recent large-scale deportations of Afghan refugees from Pakistan and Iran have raised grave concerns about regional security and the welfare of returnees. Experts warn that the forced repatriations could facilitate the expansion of ISIS-K by exploiting the vulnerabilities of impoverished and alienated returnees, with some returnees potentially becoming susceptible to extremist recruitment due to economic hardships. Additionally, several Afghan refugees who worked with U.S. forces or awaited resettlement visas have been deported by Pakistani authorities back to Taliban-controlled Afghanistan, where they face significant risks, including fear of Taliban retribution and reports of torture and detention. The halt of the U.S. refugee resettlement program under President Trump has exacerbated the plight of these refugees, leaving many without options for safe relocation. Meanwhile, Afghan students in Pakistan are experiencing prolonged uncertainty as Pakistan has suspended the issuance of student visas, disrupting their education and prompting fears over the credibility of Pakistan's scholarship programs. Human rights organizations have condemned the deportations, emphasizing the harsh consequences faced by returnees under Taliban rule.