UN Urges Pakistan to Halt Deportation of Afghanistani Refugees

DID Press: Richard Bennett, UN Human Rights Council’s Special Rapporteur for Afghanistan, has called on Pakistan to stop the planned deportation of Afghanistani refugees.

On Tuesday, August 31, Bennett emphasized in a post on X (formerly Twitter) that Pakistan’s current priority should be providing humanitarian aid to those affected by the earthquakes in Kunar and Nangarhar provinces.

“Pakistan should at least suspend the deportation program for Afghanistani refugees and focus its efforts on supporting relief operations in these areas,” Bennett said, adding that such a move would signal a “compassionate” stance from a neighboring country.

Previously, he had also highlighted the importance of women’s participation in relief efforts for the earthquake victims in Kunar province. 

Pakistan has set September 1 as the deadline for the deportation of more than one million Afghanistani refugees whose temporary residence permits have expired.