Over 10,000 Afghans rushed to Pakistan’s borders as a deadline loomed for 1.7 million people to leave voluntarily or face arrest and deportation. The Pakistani government plans to begin arresting undocumented Afghans and relocating them to new holding centers from where they will be forcibly returned to Afghanistan. The Taliban government’s harsh interpretation of Islamic law, including restrictions on women’s and girls’ rights, has fueled the exodus. While millions of Afghans have settled in Pakistan over decades, the recent economic crisis in Afghanistan and the Taliban’s policies have forced many to return to their home country. Human rights concerns have been raised about the scale and consequences of the crackdown.
Tens of Thousands of Afghans Flee Pakistan as Deadline Looms for Deportation
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