August 7, 2025
By Rana Malhi
ISLAMABAD
Forced out of their homes by landlords after the government issued strict deadlines, hundreds of Afghan refugees, including women, children and the elderly, are now spending their remaining days under the open sky in a park located in Islamabad’s Sector G-6. All they face now is uncertainty, harassment, and lack of basic necessities.
Looming deadline
Many of the displaced individuals say that they were evicted soon after the Pakistani government issued deadline orders, which said that undocumented foreigners must leave the country by September 1. As the date approaches, their fear of deportation looms large over the refugee community.
One elderly woman, Tahira Harabi, told Voicepk that harassment by the police has become a daily ordeal for them.
“Our landlords forced us to leave. When we go outside, police stop and harass us. We are poor and cannot afford visa fees,” she said.
Another refugee, Faheema Aini, said her children are enrolled in schools in Pakistan, but the family is now forced to live in unsafe and unsanitary conditions.
“The police raid our camp at night. In this rainy weather, we are forced to sleep under the open sky. The UNHCR has not helped us in any way at all,” she added.
Asad, a young man of Afghan descent, born and raised in Pakistan, said he has been living in the country for over 40 years. “Despite spending my entire life here, I am being deported. No one is listening to us,” he said.
Parveen Askari, another refugee at the site, said she has been living in the camp for the past 11 days. “Women are facing serious problems, including lack of food and basic hygiene. Sleeping under the sky has become unbearable,” she shared.
The refugees are appealing to both the Government of Pakistan and the United Nations for urgent intervention. They demand renewal of their Proof of Registration (PoR) cards, and citizenship or permanent residency for those who have contributed to Pakistan through education, business or public service.