Archive · 11 Dec 2025
Pakistan Shuts Down 3 Afghan Refugee Camps
The Pakistani government recently closed three Afghan refugee camps in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.
These camps, which were set up in the 1980s, housed around 65,000 Afghan refugees.
The government cut off essential services like electricity, health facilities, and schools, and forcibly deported about 60,000 refugees to the Torkham border.
The provincial government wanted a more respectful repatriation process, but the federal government decided to close the camps immediately and use force to deport the refugees.
This action has been criticized for being inhumane and not following traditional customs.
Pakistan closed three Afghan refugee camps in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, affecting 65,000 refugees.
The government cut off essential services and forcibly deported 60,000 refugees to the Torkham border.
The federal government's actions contradicted the provincial government's request for a respectful repatriation process.
The federal government directed local residents not to show sympathy toward the refugees and took punitive action against non-compliant officials.
The UNHCR reported a significant increase in the arrest and detention of Afghan nationals in Pakistan in 2025.
- Who
- Pakistani government and Afghan refugees
- What
- Closure of three Afghan refugee camps and deportation of refugees
- When
- December 10, 2025
- Where
- Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan
- Why
- Border tensions with Taliban-ruled Afghanistan and federal government directive
- Location
- Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan
- Number of Camps Closed
- 3
- Refugees Affected
- 65,000
- Refugees Deported
- 60,000
- Essential Services Cut
- Electricity, Health Facilities, Schools
- Province Involved
- Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
- Federal Government Directive
- No mercy for Afghan refugees
- Provincial Government Stance
- Respectful and traditional repatriation process
