Pakistan: 2.4 Million Afghans Returned Since September 2023

DID Press: Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has announced that more than 2.4 million Afghan nationals have returned to Afghanistan since September 2023 under what he described as a “phased, orderly and dignified repatriation process,” a claim that contrasts with concerns raised by international organizations over forced deportations.

In a message marking World Refugee Day, Sharif said Pakistan had facilitated the return of more than 2.4 million Afghan citizens while seeking to preserve their dignity and ensure an organized process. He added that Pakistan’s treatment of refugees reflected “human solidarity” and argued that the contributions of host countries should receive greater international recognition.

The Pakistani prime minister also highlighted his country’s decades-long role in hosting Afghan refugees, describing it as a humanitarian commitment that has continued despite economic and resource constraints.

However, the statement comes amid ongoing criticism from international organizations and rights groups. Reports by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees have indicated that a significant portion of recent returns have occurred under pressure from deportation policies and other coercive measures, raising concerns about the protection of refugee rights and the principle of voluntary return.

Humanitarian organizations have repeatedly called for returns to be conducted in accordance with international law and for vulnerable individuals to receive adequate protection before being sent back to Afghanistan.