Afghan women workers who fled to Pakistan to escape the Taliban regime in Afghanistan are now facing a new threat to their lives as Pakistan has intensified efforts to deport Afghan refugees. These women are struggling to survive in Pakistan, living in constant fear of being arrested and deported back to Afghanistan.
One of these women, Zahra Mosavi, an Afghan women’s rights activist, fled Afghanistan in March 2022 after months of protest against the oppressive Taliban government. She has since been hiding in Pakistan, fearful of being captured by Pakistani authorities and sent back to Afghanistan where she would face almost certain death.
Mosavi was an outspoken critic of the Taliban and actively participated in protests in Afghanistan to advocate for women’s rights. After the Taliban’s takeover of Afghanistan in August 2021, they imposed severe restrictions on women and girls, which led to Mosavi’s decision to flee the country.
Since arriving in Pakistan, Mosavi has been struggling to obtain the necessary documents to stay in the country legally. She spoke to DW about her ordeal, saying that she was arrested by Pakistani police on February 22 when they raided her home. “They came in plain clothes, conducted a thorough search, and arrested both me and my young daughter, taking us to a deportation camp,” Mosavi said. She and her daughter were detained for two days in harsh conditions before being released, thanks to human rights organizations’ pressure.
Mosavi’s case is not unique. Several other Afghan women workers are also hiding in Pakistan due to the looming threat of deportation. Jamila Ahmadi, a 27-year-old activist, shared her experience with DW, stating that many of her fellow Afghan women had already been sent back to Afghanistan, where their lives were in danger. Ahmadi, who has worked to empower women and report on the crimes of the Taliban, fears for her life if she is forced to return to Afghanistan.
Afghan women workers in Pakistan face grave dangers. The Pakistani government is running a campaign to deport millions of Afghan refugees who have been living in the country for decades. According to the UNHCR, over 800,000 Afghan refugees have already been sent back to Afghanistan as part of this campaign, with many more expected to follow.
Human rights advocates have criticized the Pakistani government’s deportation efforts, especially when it comes to Afghan women rights activists, who are at an even greater risk of persecution upon returning to Taliban-controlled Afghanistan. Asylum lawyers like Osama Malik have warned that sending these women back could expose them to further violence and abuse by the Taliban.
The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has expressed concern over the deportation of Afghan refugees, urging Pakistan to continue offering protection to those at risk, particularly vulnerable groups such as women, journalists, and human rights activists.
Maria Noori, a 34-year-old activist from Kabul, has called on the international community to intervene and protect Afghan women workers in Pakistan. She stressed that deportation to Afghanistan would mean facing violence, imprisonment, or even death. Noori urged the international community to understand the urgency of the situation and take immediate action to ensure the safety of Afghan women activists.