Pakistan Intensifies Crackdown on Afghan Refugees, Sparking Fear and Humanitarian Crisis

ISLAMABAD – Pakistani authorities have significantly escalated arrests of Afghan refugees in the capital, targeting residential neighborhoods and deepening a climate of fear among thousands of undocumented families. This expansion of a nationwide expulsion campaign unfolds amid heightened regional tensions and a stark humanitarian emergency.

This week, police operations in Islamabad’s F-17 and B-17 sectors led to the detention of numerous individuals, who were subsequently transferred to the Adyala Jail or the temporary holding facility known as Haji Camp. The crackdown, which began in force last October, has already resulted in the forced return of over 500,000 Afghans to a country grappling with severe economic collapse and a repressive Taliban regime.

The refugee community reports a sharp increase in police pressure following recent diplomatic disputes between Pakistan and the Taliban over cross-border militancy and security. “The situation has become unbearable,” said one Afghan refugee, who requested anonymity for fear of reprisal. “We live in constant uncertainty, with limited rights, and now many are too afraid to leave their homes, even for medical care.”

Targeting the Vulnerable
Among those detained are former Afghan soldiers, police, journalists, human rights activists, and women’s rights advocates who fled Afghanistan after the Taliban’s 2021 takeover, fearing persecution or death. For them, forced repatriation is not merely a displacement but a potential death sentence. “Returning means imprisonment, torture, or worse,” explained a former government employee now in hiding.

The United Nations has documented cases of deported individuals being detained or mistreated upon arrival in Afghanistan. Compounding the peril is the suspension of several international resettlement programs, which has left thousands of at-risk asylum seekers stranded in Pakistan with unresolved immigration cases.

Allegations of Abuse and Extortion
Refugees have also reported incidents of harassment and extortion by individuals posing as or working alongside law enforcement. “They raid homes, demand bribes, and intimidate us,” claimed a community elder in Islamabad. Pakistani officials have repeatedly stated that the campaign only targets those without legal status, but advocates insist that document verification is often arbitrary and that even those with pending applications are not spared.

International Pressure Mounts
The crisis has drawn urgent international concern. Pakistan has issued a stark warning to Germany, urging it to accelerate the relocation of approximately 1,900 at-risk Afghan refugees stranded in Pakistan. Islamabad cautioned that without faster processing, many could face deportation before their asylum claims are adjudicated.

Humanitarian organizations warn of a catastrophic convergence of factors. “We are watching a perfect storm develop,” said a representative from the International Rescue Committee. “Forced returns are accelerating as winter sets in, humanitarian aid inside Afghanistan is critically insufficient, and the country’s institutions are failing. This will inevitably exacerbate suffering, displacement, and regional instability.”

The escalating crackdown underscores Pakistan’s hardened stance on hosting refugees after decades, citing economic strain and security concerns. However, human rights groups condemn the campaign as a violation of international non-refoulement principles, which prohibit returning people to territories where they face serious threats to their life or freedom.

As temperatures plummet, the plight of those still in hiding in Pakistan and those already deported into destitution grows increasingly desperate, marking a critical and volatile chapter in Afghanistan’s protracted refugee crisis.

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