Expulsion of Afghan Refugees From Pakistan Affects Future of Children, Says IOM

The International Organisation for Migration (IOM) has said that the forced expulsion of Afghans from Pakistan has devastating consequences for the future of children from expelled families.

The organisation has stated that Afghan children in Pakistan face serious risks including detention, dangers of crossing borders, and deprivation of education.

Figures from the International Organisation for Migration and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in Pakistan indicate that over 550,000 Afghans have been expelled to Afghanistan from September of last year to the end of April. During this period, over 31,000 Afghans have been detained in Pakistan.

These organisations warn that Afghan refugees and migrants in Pakistan face multiple risks including detention, exploitation, separation from family, and lack of access to education and healthcare.

The relief agency warns that in a situation where Afghanistan is grappling with the challenge of six million internally displaced persons and human rights violations, the expulsion of Afghan migrants affects the lives of Afghans, especially women and girls.

IOM emphasised that Afghan children, with the continuation of the expulsion program, are left without education and are exposed to the risks of forced labor, trafficking, and exploitation.