UNHCR, Afghan envoy in Islamabad discuss refugee repatriation challenges

Philippa Candler, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) Representative in Pakistan, met with Afghan Ambassador Sardar Ahmad Shakeeb in Islamabad to discuss the pressing challenges faced by Afghan refugees amid ongoing repatriation efforts.

The discussions focused on the situation of Afghan nationals living in Pakistan and the risks posed by potential forced deportations.

Both sides emphasized the need for additional time to enable refugees to move their belongings and return voluntarily and with dignity.

Particular concern was raised for vulnerable groups such as families of mixed nationality, students, and individuals with serious medical conditions, with both parties warning that sudden expulsions could lead to family separations and disrupt access to education and healthcare.

Shakeeb called for practical measures to ease the return process, including the opening of more border crossing points between Afghanistan and Pakistan, expanding the number of Voluntary Repatriation Centers (VRCs), and deploying mobile teams to refugee camps.

He also urged Pakistani authorities to consider waiving the requirement for Proof of Registration (PoR) cards, which remains a barrier for many Afghan families seeking to repatriate.

The meeting comes as hundreds of thousands of Afghans in Pakistan face uncertainty over their legal status, with humanitarian organizations warning that large-scale forced returns could strain Afghanistan’s already fragile economy and overburden its social services.