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Pakistan’s federal government has abruptly closed three decades-old Afghan refugee camps in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, cutting essential services and forcibly sending tens of thousands across the border amid rising tensions with Taliban-ruled Afghanistan.
About 60,000 refugees forcibly sent to Torkham border without notice.
Islamabad: The Pakistan government has taken drastic steps against Afghan refugees in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, shutting down three long-standing camps in the Haripur district. The Panian, Padhana, and Basumira camps, established during the Afghan wars of the 1980s, had housed around 65,000 Afghan citizens. In an unprecedented move, the federal administration cut off electricity and closed four health facilities along with ten schools, leaving thousands of residents without basic services.
Forcible Deportation to Torkham
The closures were accompanied by the immediate deportation of nearly 60,000 Afghan refugees to the Torkham border, reportedly without prior notice. Sources indicate that federal authorities employed strict enforcement measures, instructing local residents to refrain from offering aid to refugees and punishing those failing to comply. The abrupt action highlights the federal directive of showing “no mercy” to Afghan nationals residing in Pakistan.
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While the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provincial government had advocated for a respectful repatriation process in line with traditional Pakhtoon customs, its recommendations were bypassed. Officials from the federal government chose immediate closure and mass deportation, undermining provincial authority and escalating tensions. Punitive measures were reportedly taken against provincial officers who were perceived to be lenient toward the refugees.
The closure of these camps aligns with a broader pattern of Afghan repatriation from Pakistan. Reports indicate that over 10,000 Afghan citizens returned to Afghanistan in a single day last month from Iran and Pakistan. Similar mass deportations occurred earlier in 2025, reflecting an intensifying crackdown on Afghan nationals throughout the country.
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Data from the United Nations refugee agency shows that arrests and detentions of Afghan nationals in Pakistan have surged in 2025. Districts including Chagai, Quetta, and Attock recorded the highest numbers. From January to November 2025, 100,971 Afghan nationals were arrested, marking a sharp rise compared to 9,006 in 2024 and 26,299 in 2023. These figures reflect intensified enforcement efforts nationwide, targeting both documented Afghan Citizen Card holders and undocumented residents.
The sudden eviction and closure of camps has raised urgent humanitarian concerns, with thousands of refugees left without access to shelter, education, and healthcare. The move underscores the growing tension between Pakistan and Taliban-ruled Afghanistan, and the federal government’s uncompromising stance on refugee management. Observers stress the need for a balanced approach that ensures security while protecting human rights.
The closure of the Panian, Padhana, and Basumira camps marks one of the most aggressive refugee actions in Pakistan’s recent history. With tens of thousands forcibly repatriated and essential services cut off, the situation in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa underscores the challenges of balancing security, diplomacy, and humanitarian obligations in the region.
