Afghan Refugees Unite Over Cricket Amid Deportation Fears

Afghan refugees in Islamabad gathered to watch their national cricket team in the Champions Trophy but expressed fears over ongoing deportations. As Pakistan moves to repatriate Afghans, many face uncertainty and fear, especially those who fled following the Taliban's rise in 2021.

In Islamabad, Afghan refugees congregated at a local cafe to support their national cricket team during their inaugural participation in the Champions Trophy. However, the conversation quickly shifted to a pressing concern among attendees: the threat of deportation.

Pakistan is spearheading efforts to repatriate nearly 4 million Afghans, many of whom fled due to decades of conflict, notably exacerbated since the Taliban took control in 2021. Although the atmosphere in Karachi was celebratory, the air in Islamabad was thick with anxiety.

Rahil Talash, a human rights defender now in Pakistan, voiced concerns over deteriorating conditions, a sentiment echoed by others like Marzia Delawar and internationally renowned judoka Parwin Askari, who attended alone, separated from her family.