Afghan Migrants Claim Pakistani Police Take Bribes for Release

Afghan migrants in Pakistan allege police are demanding bribes for release after arrests, with detainees reporting payments of large sums despite holding valid or pending immigration documents.

Afghan residents in Islamabad and Rawalpindi say Pakistani police have intensified arrests of Afghans in recent weeks, with some detainees allegedly released only after paying large cash sums.

Witnesses claim police often operate in plain clothes on motorcycles, demanding passports and visas. If documents are not produced, uniformed officers reportedly arrive in vehicles to make arrests.

Three Afghans detained on Monday in a Rawalpindi neighborhood said on social media that they were held for about six hours, during which police openly demanded money for their release.

One of them said he paid 82,000 Pakistani rupees to secure freedom, while others reported paying similar amounts. They allege this has become a common practice.

Afghans in Islamabad awaiting visa processing say police refuse to accept official embassy papers proving pending applications, instead attempting to detain them despite valid documentation.

Community members are calling on the Pakistani government to expedite visa extensions for Afghans to prevent further harassment, wrongful arrests, and alleged extortion by law enforcement.

Meanwhile, Pakistan has warned about 1.4 million registered Afghan refugees holding Proof of Registration (PoR) cards to leave by the end of August or face forced deportation. Police have not responded to the allegations.

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