Of Islamabad's approximately 41,520 registered Afghan citizens, many retain memories of earlier refuge. Before 2006, some 25,000 had lived in a refugee camp within the Islamabad Capital Territory.
The situation is especially dire for Afghan migrants in Pakistan, where visa renewals have been suspended, and Proof of Registration (PoR) cards invalidated without clear guidance. Migrants are reporting increased police harassment and arbitrary detentions.
The results highlight not only the effectiveness of emergency vaccination, but also the critical role of preparedness and speed in response to emerging threats.
At the border, families endure sweltering temperatures often topping 40°C, armed with the few belongings they could manage to pack. They find shade under blankets, while signs of malnutrition are evident in children, and many mothers appear worn down and anxious.
Meanwhile, UNHCR alongside partners is working to address the urgent needs of those arriving – food, water, shelter, protection. However its programmes are also under severe strain due to limited funding.
Meanwhile, the de facto authorities have conveyed grievances around frozen assets, sanctions, non-recognition, the need for greater development assistance, and an end to aid dependency.
The Ministry of Women and Children Affairs continues to insist that recruitment will be completed “shortly.” Until then, 373 unpaid workers remain the thin line between Bangladesh’s formal commitment to protect survivors of rape and the practical reality of a system under severe strain.
The Ministry of Women and Children Affairs continues to insist that recruitment will be completed “shortly.” Until then, 373 unpaid workers remain the thin line between Bangladesh’s formal commitment to protect survivors of rape and the practical reality of a system under severe strain.
The latest decision to block medical education further narrows the already bleak opportunities available to Afghan women, denying them a pathway to meaningful careers and independence.
The Aswesuma scheme, introduced in 2023, aims to replace a decades-old programme with a new model that ostensibly uses multidimensional deprivation scores rather than just income thresholds.