Pakistan's Expulsion of 1.7 Million Afghans Raises Concerns

Pakistan's caretaker government has announced a 28-day deadline for the voluntary departure of the estimated 1.7 million Afghan refugees living in the country illegally, with a promise of a "reward" for information on their whereabouts starting in November. The decision comes amid growing frustration with the Taliban and the economic burden of hosting millions of Afghans. While the government claims it will prioritize the deportation of criminals, there are concerns that exiled critics of the Taliban may also be caught up in the crackdown. The UN refugee agency has urged Pakistan to prevent the deportation of Afghan refugees fleeing persecution.