As Pakistan begins second phase of deportation, Afghan women fear what lies ahead

In Afghanistan, a harrowing truth persists: girls are denied the right to education, making it the only country in the world enforcing such a ban. This injustice transpired on Sep 17, 2021, when the Taliban prohibited girls older than 11 or beyond sixth grade from pursuing higher studies.

As a result, the aspirations of Afghan girls are stifled — their potential locked away behind closed doors. The restriction not only robs them of the experience of academic learning but also crushes their dreams for a brighter tomorrow. Tragically, the only flicker of hope lies for those privileged enough to carve a life outside of Afghanistan.

For the past several decades, Pakistan has served as a home for Afghan refugees. However, the current discourse on deportations has considerably complicated the situation.

On October 3, the Government of Pakistan said that an estimated 1.7 million undocumented refugees, the vast majority of them Afghans, were living in different parts of the country. It then ordered everyone who did not have documentation to leave the country by Nov 1 or risk being forcibly evicted. These unregistered migrants were also referred to as ‘aliens’, who had no form of identification, including either a POR (Proof of Residency) card or an ACC (Afghan Citizen Card).

The Pakistani authorities have now decided to move on to the second phase of deportations — targeting those holding ACC permits. This looming reality is particularly alarming for Afghan women, whose fundamental rights stand imperiled back home.