Thousands of Afghan refugees in Pakistan continue to face an uncertain future as hopes for third-country relocation diminish. Many of them, once professionals in Afghanistan with stable jobs, now live in makeshift shelters while navigating legal uncertainty and the threat of deportation.
Living in Makeshift Camps in Islamabad
Around 300 Afghan families are currently camped at Argentina Park in Islamabad. Most arrived in Pakistan following the Taliban takeover in August 2021. They fled seeking safety but now find themselves stranded as international relocation programs slow down.
Among them is Samia, a 24-year-old from Baghlan province, who fled Afghanistan in 2022. She now lives with her infant son, born in Pakistan, but says life remains insecure. According to her, Afghanistan offered no safe future for children, yet Pakistan has also failed to provide stability.
Former Afghan Police Officers Among the Displaced
Several women who once served as police officers in Afghanistan are also among the displaced refugees.
Pari Noori, who worked for eight years, recalled how life collapsed after the Taliban returned to power. “We had jobs, financial stability, and security, but everything ended,” she explained.
Similarly, Shehnaz Alizadeh, who served 14 years, alleged that increasing threats and violence under Taliban rule eventually forced her to flee. Both women now live in precarious conditions in Pakistan, awaiting opportunities for relocation.
Refugees Stuck Between Hope and Deportation
Pakistan hosts more than 1.3 million Afghans registered under Proof of Registration (PoR) cards, while another 750,000 hold Afghan Citizen Cards (ACC). Many have lived in the country since the 1980s, when earlier waves of conflict forced migration.
However, the government has recently renewed deportation campaigns. Earlier this month, Afghan residents in southwestern regions were ordered to leave, triggering mass movement toward the border. Since 2023, more than one million Afghans have left Pakistan, including over 200,000 in just the past few months.
The drive particularly affects those with temporary permits. Many among them were born in Pakistan or have lived there for decades, yet now face the risk of arrest or forced return.
Regional Pressure and Repatriation Campaigns
Pakistan’s repatriation initiative, known as the Illegal Foreigners Repatriation Plan, was launched in late 2023. It revoked hundreds of thousands of permits, leaving families with limited options.
Iran has simultaneously intensified deportation measures. More than 1.5 million Afghans have reportedly been expelled from Iran in recent months, further compounding the refugee crisis.
Uncertain Future for Displaced Afghans
For Afghan families stranded in Islamabad and other cities, life remains suspended between hope and despair. They continue to call for safe relocation to countries willing to accept them. Until then, many remain trapped in legal limbo, struggling with inadequate housing, job insecurity, and the constant threat of forced deportation.
