Zahra Mousavi, a women’s rights activist, fled from Afghanistan to neighboring Pakistan in March 2022 after months of fighting and protesting against the oppressive Taliban regime. Now residing in hiding and constant fear of being arrested by Pakistani police and deported to her home country, Mousavi actively participated in street protests against the Taliban after their takeover in August 2021. She advocated for women’s rights by participating in public gatherings and demonstrations, aiming to amplify the voices of Afghan women globally. Due to the Taliban’s restrictions on women and girls and their gradual removal from public life, Mousavi was forced to leave Afghanistan. However, in Pakistan, securing the necessary documents to stay has proven challenging. Mousavi’s case is not isolated, as several other Afghan female activists are also living in hiding as Islamabad accelerates deportations to Afghanistan. Legal experts and refugee rights activists criticize Pakistan’s deportation plans, particularly concerning Afghan women’s rights activists. The Pakistani government denies allegations of harassment and stresses that other countries should also accommodate Afghan refugees. The international community is called upon to intervene and provide support to protect Afghan female activists facing the threat of deportation.

Source: https://www.dw.com/en/afghan-women-s-rights-activists-in-pakistan-fear-deportation/a-71951146?maca=en-rss-en-all-1573-rdf