KABUL, AFGHANISTAN – Sources among Afghan refugees in Islamabad, the capital of Pakistan, report ongoing mistreatment, detention, and deportation of Afghan refugees by Pakistani security forces.
According to sources, Pakistani authorities have recently intensified house-to-house searches in Islamabad, arresting and deporting dozens of Afghans, particularly those without valid documentation.
The sources disclosed that since Saturday morning, Pakistani police have conducted raids in the B-17, I-11, I-10, and Barakahu areas of Islamabad, detaining dozens of Afghans, including women and children, even those with valid documents.
A voice message shared with KabulNow by an Afghan woman detailed a raid on her home, during which police searched every corner, including bathrooms and rooftops, before detaining her two brothers. She explained that her family has a U.S. immigration case under the P-2 category and possesses documentation from the U.S. embassy confirming the case is under review. Despite this, her brothers were arrested and taken into custody.
Refugees describe a growing climate of fear, citing violent behavior by Pakistani police. Witnesses allege that officers use force and often beat individuals who attempt to explain their circumstances.
Pakistan has long hosted millions of Afghan refugees fleeing conflict, political instability, and unemployment. According to the UN, around 3.2 million Afghan refugees currently reside in Pakistan, including 1.3 million registered refugees and another 880,000 with other legal status.
Following the collapse of Afghanistan’s republic government and the Taliban’s return to power, more than 600,000 Afghans, including rights activists, journalists, and former government employees, fled to Pakistan to escape Taliban retaliation.
In late 2023, Pakistan launched a crackdown on undocumented foreign nationals, citing security concerns and counter-terrorism measures. This operation has predominantly affected Afghan refugees, leading to mass deportations that have especially impacted women and children. Pakistani officials report that nearly 800,000 Afghans have been deported to Taliban-controlled Afghanistan since the campaign began.
International organizations, including the UN and Amnesty International, have condemned Pakistan’s actions, urging the country to end mistreatment and deportations of Afghan refugees and to safeguard their rights.
