Stuck in limbo: Afghan refugees caught between hope and hardship in Pakistan

Like thousands of Afghan refugees, Humaira Haidary arrived in Pakistan in search of safety and stability. Now, however, she finds herself in limbo, highlighting the mounting challenges Afghan refugees face in a country already struggling with its own issues.

“Many Afghan refugees have been in Pakistan for years, but their cases are being processed at a painfully slow pace by foreign countries,” Humaira told Nukta, sharing her plight.

Since arriving in Pakistan in May 2023, she has been waiting for resettlement to the United States—a process that has dragged on far longer than she or many others anticipated.

Humaira’s story underscores the broader plight of Afghan refugees in Pakistan, who are navigating complex and overwhelming challenges in a country grappling with its own economic and security issues. With more than 600,000 Afghans crossing into Pakistan since the Taliban’s return to power in August 2021, many are now stuck in a cycle of uncertainty.

Embassies, including those of the U.S. and other Western nations, have offered little to no financial assistance, leaving refugees like Humaira to fend for themselves. Prolonged waiting periods for resettlement and limited resources are pushing many into dire economic straits. For refugees without proper documentation, the chances of securing stable employment are slim.

“The lack of support from embassies and international organizations has left Afghan refugees struggling to make ends meet,” Humaira said. “The prolonged processing times for resettlement cases only add to their stress and uncertainty. It’s impossible to plan for the future when you’re stuck in limbo like this.”

Pakistan's dilemma

Pakistan, a country grappling with chronic financial crises, faces its own set of challenges in balancing humanitarian commitments with national interests.

While not a signatory to the 1951 Refugee Convention or its 1967 Protocol, Pakistan has a decades-long, commendable history of providing asylum and protection to displaced Afghans.

However, the ongoing economic crunch and strained relations with Afghanistan’s Taliban regime have compelled Pakistan to take decisive measures.

Afghan refugees returning voluntarily from Pakistan wait at the UNHCR center in Nowshera. AFP/File

Authorities in the federal capital clarified a day earlier that their actions are aimed solely at “undocumented foreign nationals under its immigration laws,” addressing allegations from Afghanistan’s embassy that approximately 800 Afghans in Islamabad had been detained, including individuals registered with the U.N. refugee agency.

The Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) administration stressed that Afghan nationals possessing valid documentation—such as Proof of Registration (PoR) cards, Afghan Citizen Cards (ACCs), visas, or resettlement permits—are exempt from deportation.

The administration underscored that the repatriation of undocumented foreigners complies with national laws and is carried out with efforts to ensure fair and humane treatment.

In a statement, the ICT reported the deportation of 186 undocumented foreigners in 2025 and the detention of two others pending deportation. Authorities also reminded all foreign nationals to carry valid documents to avoid inconvenience.

Afghanistan’s concerns

Two days ago, the Afghan embassy criticized Pakistan’s deportation policy, accusing authorities of targeting Afghan nationals indiscriminately through unwarranted arrests, home searches, and extortion.

The embassy highlighted the detention of 137 Afghan nationals registered with the UNHCR and individuals with pending visa extensions, deeming these actions a violation of international norms.

Calling the measures unjust and alarming, Kabul emphasized that such actions exacerbate diplomatic tensions and undermine the rights of documented refugees.

A long-standing crisis

The Afghan refugee crisis in Pakistan stems from decades of conflict in Afghanistan, starting with the Soviet invasion in the late 1970s. Millions fled across the border over the years, and Pakistan became home to an estimated 1.4 million registered refugees and an additional 1 million undocumented individuals.

While Pakistan initially welcomed Afghan refugees due to humanitarian concerns and geopolitical factors, this approach has shifted. Rising security threats, including attacks linked to the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), have led to stricter immigration policies and intensified enforcement actions.

An Afghan woman holds her passport for the camera as she arrived with others to return to their home country at the border post in Torkham, Pakistan, March 7, 2017. Reuters

The situation worsened following the Taliban's return to power in Afghanistan in 2021. Many Afghans who fled now face growing hostility and suspicion in Pakistan.

Overcrowded living conditions, limited access to healthcare and education, and dwindling international aid exacerbate their struggles. Women and children are particularly vulnerable to violence and exploitation.

In late 2023, Pakistan announced plans to deport undocumented Afghan refugees, citing national security concerns. Officials blamed the Taliban for backing the TTP insurgency responsible for deadly attacks on security forces. Afghanistan disputes these allegations.

Legal and political fallout

The Supreme Court of Pakistan is currently hearing a petition challenging the mass deportation of Afghan refugees. Civil society activists argue that the policy violates constitutional rights, international human rights laws, and protections for individuals born in Pakistan.

Government representatives assured the court that PoR cards for registered refugees remain valid until June 2025, while clarifying that undocumented individuals are the primary focus of repatriation efforts.

An Afghan refugee (R) provides biometric verification to a member of National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) at a holding center near the Pakistan-Afghanistan border in Chaman, before his deportation to Afghanistan on November 4, 2023.AFP

Since the end of 2023, nearly 785,000 undocumented foreigners, primarily Afghans, have been deported under the Illegal Foreigners Repatriation Plan.

The growing crackdown has heightened tensions between Islamabad and Kabul. In November 2024, Pakistan introduced a no-objection certificate (NOC) requirement for Afghan nationals residing in Islamabad after reports of arrests tied to political activities. Afghanistan accused Pakistan of using Afghan refugees as “scapegoats” for its domestic challenges.

UNHCR disputes Afghanistan's claim

Qaiser Khan Afridi, a spokesperson at the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), confirmed to Nukta that most of the 186 Afghan refugees recently detained and deported were individuals registered with the UNHCR.

“People who approach the UNHCR are those facing life threats in their home country,” Afridi said. “As a signatory to several human rights conventions, Pakistan cannot deport individuals who seek refuge due to life-threatening conditions in their countries.”

Afridi explained that the detained individuals were taken to the Haji Camp, where they underwent biometric verification before being deported.

Meanwhile, the Director General of Media at the Ministry of Interior refuted claims about the detention of registered Afghan refugees. Speaking to Nukta, he asserted that only Afghan citizens without proper registration or documentation were being detained.

“No country allows foreigners to stay without legal documentation, and Pakistan is no exception. Therefore, we are deporting these illegal immigrants,” he clarified.

Humanitarian concerns

More than 600,000 Afghans have entered Pakistan since August 2021, with many hoping for relocation assistance from Western nations. However, delays in immigration processing have left thousands stranded in guesthouses in Islamabad, facing police harassment and deteriorating conditions.

According to the UNHCR, Pakistan currently hosts 1.5 million registered Afghan refugees, alongside another 1.5 million individuals with varying legal statuses. The Pakistani government has granted multiple short-term extensions to registered refugees, with the latest set to expire in June 2025.

Talking to AFP, lawyer Umer Ijaz Gilani, representing Afghan refugees, described their plight as "immense pain," noting the challenges faced by those awaiting immigration or documentation.

While Islamabad insists the deportation campaign is a security measure, many Afghans claim they are being unfairly targeted due to political rifts between the two governments.

Humaira’s story is a sobering reminder of the human cost of displacement. Her frustration with the lack of financial and logistical support from the international community reflects the urgent need for coordinated global action.

“The embassies need to step up and provide the support they promised,” she said. “We left our homes with the hope of finding safety and a future, but many of us feel abandoned.”

— With additional input from AFP