Pakistan is actively deporting undocumented Afghan refugees, including those with Pakistani spouses, despite their long-term residence and family ties in the country. The Pakistani government's decision is driven by frustration with the Taliban government in Afghanistan and a global trend of anti-immigrant sentiment. This crackdown has resulted in over 80,000 Afghans being expelled and has left families, like that of Sher Zada and Fatima Bibi, in distress as they face separation and uncertain futures. Legal pathways for Afghans to remain in Pakistan are fraught with bureaucratic challenges and high costs, making it difficult for many to secure residency despite marriages to Pakistani citizens. Rights groups criticize the government's inadequate implementation of legal safeguards and emphasize the plight of these mixed-nationality families as a largely overlooked issue in the deportation campaign.

The Pakistani government has enforced a strict deportation policy against undocumented Afghan refugees, expelling over 80,000 individuals and affecting families with deep-rooted ties in the country. This move disregards the familial connections of many refugees, such as those married to Pakistani nationals, and leaves them vulnerable to the harsh conditions under Taliban rule in Afghanistan.

Motivated by tensions with the Taliban government, which Pakistan accuses of harboring militants, the deportations coincide with rising international anti-immigrant sentiment. The policy mirrors similar measures in the United States and Europe, where stricter immigration controls have been implemented.

Families like that of Sher Zada, an Afghan refugee married to a Pakistani citizen, face the threat of separation as undocumented individuals are forced out of the country. Despite his long-term residence in Pakistan, the lack of formal documentation for marriages often hinders Afghan spouses from obtaining legal residency or citizenship.

Legal experts argue that existing Pakistani laws offer some pathways for Afghan spouses to remain in the country, but the process is complicated by high fees and bureaucratic hurdles. These challenges are exacerbated by the perception, encouraged by authorities, that few legal options are available for refugees.

Rights groups highlight the plight of Afghan-Pakistani families as an overlooked aspect of the deportation drive, emphasizing the emotional and legal difficulties faced by those affected. The government's commitment to enforcing deportations, regardless of familial ties, poses significant obstacles to securing visas and maintaining family unity.