UN Refugee Agency Chief Visits Pakistan to Address Afghan Refugee Crisis

Filippo Grandi, the head of the UN Refugee Agency, UNHCR, will travel to Pakistan on Sunday for a three-day visit.

The UNHCR and Pakistani officials confirmed that Grandi is visiting Pakistan to discuss the challenges faced by Afghan refugees.

The senior UN official's visit coincides with the Pakistani government's decision of the second phase of the mass deportation of Afghan refugees from the country.

During his visit, Grandi is expected to meet with Pakistani officials and Afghan refugees to discuss their issues and plans for their return to Afghanistan.

Grandi is anticipated to meet Afghan refugees in Peshawar on Monday before travelling to Islamabad.

Radio Television Afghanistan (RTA), under Taliban control, has quoted Taliban officials describing Grandi's visit to Pakistan as "important" for resolving Afghan refugee issues.

Recent reports indicate that the second phase of deporting undocumented Afghan refugees from Pakistan has begun. According to these reports, around 800,000 Afghan refugees are expected to be returned to Afghanistan in this phase.

The UN Refugee Agency has expressed concern about the deportation of undocumented refugees, particularly Afghans. Meanwhile, Pakistani officials have accused some Afghan citizens of being involved in "violent incidents" in Pakistan, emphasising the need for the deportation plan. The Taliban have denied Afghan involvement in violent incidents in Pakistan.

According to Pakistani officials, over 500,000 Afghans were deported from Pakistan in the first phase of the Afghan refugee deportation.