Crackdown in Islamabad: Afghan Refugees Accuse Police of Violence and Arbitrary Detention

ISLAMABAD – A recent police operation targeting undocumented Afghan migrants in the capital has erupted into a crisis, with refugees and human rights advocates alleging widespread violence, arbitrary detentions, and a looming threat of mass deportation, raising urgent humanitarian and legal concerns.

The crackdown, which took place over the weekend, resulted in the detention of dozens of Afghan families from several neighborhoods in Islamabad. According to accounts from the refugee community, police conducted raids with forceful entries into homes, creating an atmosphere of terror.

Allegations of Abuse and Injuries

The operation has been marred by serious allegations of police brutality. Detainees and community representatives report that at least 100 families were taken into custody, with many individuals, including women and children, claiming they were assaulted during the arrest process.

Disturbing evidence has emerged on social media, including videos showing visible injuries on several detainees. Among them is Diba Farhamand, a prominent Afghan women’s rights activist, who was seen with severe head wounds. In a harrowing account, Farhamand stated that after receiving initial medical treatment for her injuries, she was assaulted a second time, amplifying fears about the safety of those in custody.

Legal Limbo and Fear of Deportation

The detentions have triggered a profound crisis for the affected families. Community leaders express deep concern that the detainees will be transferred to temporary holding camps, a precursor to deportation to Afghanistan. Many refugees report having no access to legal support and are left in agonizing uncertainty, unable to locate or communicate with their detained family members.

“This is not about legal procedure; this is about fear and force,” said a representative from a local refugee aid group who wished to remain anonymous. “Families are being ripped apart without due process, without the chance to present whatever documents they may have, and with no clear path to challenge their detention.”

A Context of Rising Hostility

This wave of arrests is not an isolated incident but the latest escalation in a months-long campaign of increased pressure on Afghan migrants in Pakistan. Refugees report being subjected to repeated police checks, extortion, and general harassment, exacerbating their already precarious existence. Many face severe economic hardship, limited job opportunities, and a pervasive sense of insecurity.

The situation highlights the complex and often strained relationship between Pakistan and the estimated millions of Afghans who have sought refuge there over decades of conflict in their homeland.

Humanitarian Warnings and International Response

Humanitarian organizations are sounding the alarm, warning that mass deportations could have devastating consequences. Returning to Afghanistan under the current Taliban regime poses grave risks, particularly for women, children, journalists, and those who had associations with the former Afghan government or international forces.

“Forcing these families back to a country grappling with a severe humanitarian crisis, where women’s rights have been systematically erased and security is tenuous at best, is a potential death sentence for many,” a spokesperson for Amnesty International stated.

Rights groups have urgently called on Pakistani authorities to immediately halt the forced deportations, ensure due process for all detainees, and allow for independent monitoring of the situation. They emphasize that any returns must be voluntary, safe, and dignified, in accordance with international law.

As of now, the Pakistani government has not issued a detailed response to the specific allegations of violence. With international rights bodies demanding accountability and activists on the ground warning of a rapidly deteriorating situation, the plight of Islamabad’s Afghan refugee community hangs in the balance, awaiting decisive diplomatic and humanitarian intervention.

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