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Afghan refugees 'forced out' of Pakistan return with little

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September 17, 2025

For over four decades, Pakistan sheltered Afghans fleeing war and the Taliban. But since 2023, authorities have often branded them "terrorists and criminals" and begun mass deportations. Rights groups warn that women, journalists and activists are especially at risk.

Thousands of Afghan refugees are being forced to leave Pakistan, where many lived for decades. Often labeled as "terrorists," families face harassment and deportation. Women and children return to Afghanistan, where the Taliban has banned education and stripped women's rights. Most of the refugees arrive with limited to no money, often ending up in overcrowded camps with limited aid, fearing persecution and loss of freedom.

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