Around 800 Afghan migrants detained in Pakistan
The Taliban’s embassy in Islamabad has responded to the mass arrests and deportations of Afghan migrants in Pakistan, confirming that around 800 Afghan migrants have been detained by Pakistani police in Islamabad.
The embassy stated on Monday, January 6, via the social media platform X, that Pakistani police have engaged in “arbitrary” arrests of Afghan migrants.
According to the statement, a significant number of Afghan migrants, including those with valid visas, Proof of Registration (PoR) cards, and Afghan Citizen Cards (ACC), have been detained by Pakistani authorities in Islamabad.
The embassy also revealed that among the deported individuals, 137 had expired visas but had already applied for renewals before being arrested.
Pakistan has recently intensified house-to-house searches, leading to the mass detention and deportation of Afghan migrants. This has drawn widespread criticism and international attention.
Even Afghan migrants registered under temporary protection programs like SHARP/UNHCR have reportedly been detained. AFP reported that Afghan migrants in these circumstances are living in conditions akin to imprisonment.
The Taliban embassy in Islamabad emphasized that the situation has led to the separation of families, including women and children, and many Afghan migrants remain stranded in Pakistan.
The embassy also accused Pakistani police of extortion, urging the Pakistani government, international migration offices, and human rights organizations to intervene and address the situation.
This wave of arrests and deportations has exacerbated the already dire humanitarian crisis for Afghan migrants. Many are living in fear, with no access to legal recourse or basic resources, making their survival uncertain.
The international community must urgently address the plight of Afghan migrants in Pakistan. Collaborative efforts between governments, humanitarian agencies, and human rights organizations are needed to ensure that these vulnerable populations are treated with dignity and provided with essential protections.
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