In a sweeping crackdown, Pakistani police have intensified arrests of Afghan refugees in Islamabad, detaining dozens and relocating them to temporary camps as part of a broader deportation drive. Local media reports highlight the operation’s scale, which has ensnared even a journalist among those rounded up.
Sources in the capital confirm that authorities are targeting undocumented Afghans and asylum seekers, forcing them into camps like Haji Camp in the B-17 sector. This escalation follows weeks of heightened scrutiny, with police conducting round-the-clock raids in areas such as Faisal Town, often in plain clothes to evade detection.
The journalist’s detention has ignited alarms over press freedom in Pakistan, where media workers already face precarious conditions. Afghan communities, many long-term residents without legal protections, report rampant harassment, extortion, and arbitrary searches by law enforcement.
Human rights advocates decry the actions as creating an atmosphere of terror among refugees. ‘These people have fled unimaginable horrors in Afghanistan,’ one activist noted. ‘Forcing them back exposes them to Taliban reprisals, especially vulnerable groups like women, journalists, and activists.’
Amnesty International recently penned an open letter to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, urging an immediate halt to deportations. Citing UN data, the group warns that 110,000 Afghans face imminent expulsion, demanding adherence to international refugee laws and protections against arbitrary detention.
Pakistan has hosted millions of Afghans for over four decades amid wars and instability. Yet, since launching its ‘Illegal Foreigners Repatriation Plan’ in September 2023, the government has accelerated removals, even targeting some with valid status. Critics argue this betrays humanitarian commitments, potentially violating global norms.
As tensions rise, calls grow for diplomatic intervention. The international community watches closely, balancing Pakistan’s security concerns against the dire fates awaiting returnees in Taliban-controlled Afghanistan. This crisis underscores the fragility of refuge in a volatile region.