The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees along with the UN Refugee Agency, International Organization for Migration, and the UN Migration Agency — in a joint statement on Saturday called on Pakistan to maintain protection for “vulnerable Afghans” seeking safety, emphasising the imminent risks they face if forcibly returned.
The appeal from the UN’s humanitarian agencies working with migrants and refugees comes in response to Pakistan’s ultimatum asking all illegal migrants to leave its territory by November 1 or face eviction.
The UN agencies, in their statement today, said Afghanistan is going through a severe humanitarian crisis with several human rights challenges, particularly for women and girls.
“Such plans would have serious implications for all who have been forced to leave the country and may face serious protection risks upon return,” it added.
They, however, agencies acknowledged Islamabad’s sovereign prerogative over domestic policies, its need to manage populations on its territory, and its obligations to ensure public safety and security.
