Life for Afghan refugees in Pakistan is not easy, but it is about to get even harder.
ICR has been caring for Afghan refugees in Pakistan since the 2021 Taliban take-over in Afghanistan. Many of those who fled left because they knew that as converts to Christianity, they could face harsh consequences from Taliban leaders for leaving Islam. A forced return to Afghanistan could mean death or imprisonment for them.
Pakistan is currently home to 1.4 million Afghan refugees. In October 2023, Pakistan announced the “Illegal Foreigners Repatriation Plan,” which required undocumented refugees to leave the country within 30-days. A second phase of this plan went into effect on April 10, 2024. Phase Two requires those holding Afghan Citizen Cards (issued by the Pakistani government earlier) to leave the country. Observers expect that Phase three of the plan will require those with official UNHCR refugee status to leave the country. At least 527,981 Afghans have already left the country, according to Amnesty International.
An ICR partner from Pakistan says that though this is all illegal under international law, no one is paying attention because of other events, like the war in Gaza, the war in Israel, and an impending American election.
Many of the Afghan refugees have struggled in Pakistan, where there are few jobs to be had and lots of societal pressure against them as foreigners, but even more so as converts.
Even if these Afghan Christians can get passports, which cost $1,000 to $1,500 each, “Where would they go?” the partner said. “There are very few options for them.”
Our partners in Pakistan who bear the responsibility for caring for these brothers and sisters don’t know what the next step might be. But the Lord does.
