Mahira Khan calls on govt to keep supporting needy Afghans

As thousands of Afghans flee Pakistan amid deportation warning, Pakistani ace actor Mahira Khan has urged the government to keep supporting those who "are still in need of our kindness".

Showing compassion towards the Afghan refugees who have to return to their country in a mass exodus, Mahira said that "no one leaves their home behind by choice".

Taking to the picture and video-sharing site Instagram, the Humsafar actor highlighted the Pakistani "tradition of hospitality" towards those seeking shelter, which said she feels proud of

Mahira, who is the National Goodwill Ambassador for the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR), said that Pakistan has provided security to the Afghans for four decades.

"Here in Pakistan, I’ve been proud of our tradition of hospitality towards those in search of safety, dignity and respect. For over 40 years we have provided safety to our Afghan brothers and sisters in need," the Verna star wrote.

She said that among those going back to their homeland, there are people who "still need our kindness and compassion", and expressed the fear that they might be at risk if they return.

The post contained a picture of the popular artist wearing a jacket of the UNHCR, surrounded apparently by some Afghan women.

Millions of Afghans have poured into Pakistan in recent decades, fleeing a series of violent conflicts, including an estimated 600,000 since the Taliban government seized power in August 2021 and imposed their interpretation of religious laws.

More than 180,000 people have returned to Afghanistan since Islamabad ordered 1.7 million Afghans which says are living illegally in Pakistan to leave or face deportation.

Pakistan has said the deportations are to protect its "welfare and security" after a sharp rise in attacks, which the government blames on militants operating from Afghanistan.