Rights group says Pakistan steps up pressure on Afghans to return home where they risk persecution

A leading rights group said on Wednesday that Pakistan's authorities have intensified pressure on Afghan refugees to go back to neighbouring Afghanistan, where they risk persecution by the Taliban and face dire economic conditions.

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"Pakistani officials should immediately stop coercing Afghans to return home and give those facing expulsion the opportunity to seek protection," said Elaine Pearson, Asia director at New York-based Human Rights Watch.

"The Taliban authorities in Afghanistan should prevent any reprisals against returning Afghans and reverse their abusive policies against women and girls," she said.

Pakistan set a 31 March deadline for the deportation of all foreigners living illegally in the country. Most of them are Afghans.