"Afghan Mothers in Chagai Face Uncertainty and Fear as Pakistan Contemplates Large-Scale Expulsions"
In the dusty refugee camps of Chagai, Pakistan, Afghan mothers like Latifa Bibi live under a cloud of fear and uncertainty. The expiration of their Proof of Registration (PoR) cards and the implementation of Pakistan's "Illegal Foreigners' Repatriation Plan" (IFRP) threaten their safety, disrupt their lives, and expose them to harsh humanitarian consequences in Afghanistan.
For decades, these mothers, including Latifa, have called Pakistan their home. They have no home, work, or safety in Taliban-ruled Afghanistan, where they face insecurity and lack of basic services. The expiration of PoR cards on June 30, 2023, removed their official protection against deportation, leading to increased police raids, patrols, and cuts in aid like food, water, and health services by about 60% in refugee camps.
The Pakistani government has directed provincial authorities to prepare for repatriation by mapping PoR holders, organizing transit points, and promoting voluntary returns through local jirgas with Afghan elders. Camps are being de-notified as they are considered no longer serving their purpose.
The potential consequences of forced deportation for these refugees are severe. Returning to Taliban-controlled Afghanistan exposes refugees to conflict, lack of security, and human rights abuses. Many children and families depend on services in Pakistan that are now being withdrawn. The refugee camps already face shortages of basic necessities, exacerbated by reduced aid since the PoR expiration.
The situation in Chagai is further complicated by regional conflict, militancy spillovers, and separatist insurgencies. The refugee camps at border areas such as Chagai provide no electricity, limited water access, and poor infrastructure, with multiple accounts of distressing conditions and threats to personal security.
Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch have condemned Pakistan's actions as "inhumane." They have demanded urgent extensions of PoR cards, legal protections, and humanitarian aid. The UNHCR spokesperson in Pakistan has stated that forced returns violate the principle of non-refoulement and will have devastating consequences.
Latifa Bibi, a 38-year-old Afghan woman, pleads, "Treat us like human beings, not threats." Her three daughters have known no other home than the dusty refugee camps of Chagai, yet their future now hangs on the expiry of a piece of paper. The situation remains precarious, with major concerns over how deportation will be implemented and its impact on the refugees’ wellbeing.
References:
- The Diplomat
- Human Rights Watch
- Amnesty International
- Al Jazeera
- UNHCR
- In the turbulent realm of international politics, the looming threat of forced migration and the potential humanitarian crisis in Chagai, Pakistan, has become a matter of great concern, sparking heated debates and criticism from organizations like Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch.
- The news of impending deportations and the expiration of Proof of Registration (PoR) cards has created a stir in the general-news sphere, with analysts offering opinions on the implications for education, health, and food security in the refugee camps.
- Simultaneously, the educational sector is ruminating over the potential implications of the repatriation plan, with fears that the disruption could set back the gains made in the education of refugee children.
- Meanwhile, the health sector is bracing for a potential surge in cases in Afghanistan, as the lack of basic services and the risk of conflict might expose refugees to preventable diseases and health risks.
