{
  "id": 2299184,
  "title": "Afghans in Pakistan face uncertain future amid deportation drive",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/21/afghans-in-pakistan-face-uncertain-future-amid-deportation-drive",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-21T04:02:12.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Channel News Asia",
    "slug": "channel-news-asia",
    "url": "https://www.channelnewsasia.com/world/afghanistan-pakistan-tensions-deportation-drive-6332641"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Amid strained relations between Pakistan and Afghanistan, thousands of Afghan nationals born and raised in Pakistan are facing an uncertain future due to intensified deportations. Shayaan Khan, a 25-year-old Afghan, has lived in Pakistan his entire life after his father fled to the country during the Soviet-Afghan War in 1979. Now, a crackdown on undocumented Afghan migrants has left Shayaan stripped of his legal status, forcing him to hide and risk deportation to a country he barely knows. He and his family live in fear of authorities, working under the radar to support themselves. Pakistani authorities have intensified deportations under the Illegal Foreigners Repatriation Plan, targeting undocumented Afghan nationals since July 10. The United Nations reports over 6,195 Afghans have been returned to Afghanistan since July 5, a 33% increase from the previous week. However, success in legal petitions to remain in Pakistan has been limited, leaving many families with no clear legal recourse. Islamabad defends the deportations, citing immigration laws and national security concerns. Analysts warn that the mass deportation of Afghan nationals could have counterproductive effects, leaving returnees vulnerable to militant groups and hindering economic recovery in the region.",
  "summary": "Thousands of Afghans born and raised in Pakistan are being pushed into hiding as Islamabad steps up deportations amid worsening ties with Afghanistan, leaving families caught between two countries they call home.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Dawn - Pakistan",
        "title": "Dir residents told to report presence of illegal Afghans or face action",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/21/dir-residents-told-to-report-presence-of-illegal-afghans-or-face",
        "published": "2026-08-21T04:44:07.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}