Islamabad, Apr 23 (V7N) — More than 100,000 Afghan refugees have been forced to leave Pakistan in the first three weeks of April, according to the Pakistani Ministry of Interior. The government launched a renewed crackdown on April 1, revoking residence permits and labeling many Afghans as "terrorists and criminals."

Official figures state that 100,529 Afghans have already returned to Afghanistan this month. Analysts believe the move is intended to pressure the Taliban government, following a recent spike in cross-border militant attacks that Pakistan blames on Afghan-based groups.

Currently, Pakistan hosts approximately 4 million Afghan nationals, including about 1.7 million undocumented refugees. Many of these Afghans have lived in Pakistan for decades — some were born, married, and raised families there without ever having set foot in Afghanistan. For them, this forced return poses immense uncertainty and fear.

The Pakistani government has set a target to repatriate 80,000 refugees in April alone, though this number has already been exceeded. Human rights organizations have expressed concern, warning of a looming humanitarian crisis as deportees struggle to reintegrate into an unstable Afghanistan.

Pakistan’s Foreign Minister recently held talks with Taliban leaders in a bid to ease rising tensions and secure commitments to curb cross-border militancy. However, Islamabad’s stance remains firm, and the deportation campaign continues.

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