RASC News Agency: The Taliban-controlled Afghanistan Embassy in Islamabad has confirmed that Pakistani authorities detained at least 800 Afghanistani migrants over the past two days. The arrests reportedly include individuals holding valid documentation, such as visas, Proof of Registration (PoR) cards, and Afghanistani Citizen Cards (ACC). The Taliban have attributed these actions to the lack of transparency surrounding the requirements for obtaining No Objection Certificates (NOCs), which has led to arbitrary detentions and deportations. According to the embassy’s statement, among those deported were 137 individuals whose visas had expired but had already applied for extensions. Temporary registration cardholders were also reportedly among those affected.
The embassy expressed grave concern over the humanitarian implications of these actions, highlighting cases of family separations involving women and children and noting the plight of many Afghanistani nationals left stranded in Pakistan. Reports of unnecessary arrests, home raids, and extortion by Pakistani authorities have further exacerbated the situation. In a formal response, the Taliban urged Pakistani authorities to immediately address these issues and ensure the protection and rights of Afghanistani citizens residing in Pakistan. The embassy revealed that it has officially raised the matter with Pakistani officials while also appealing to the United Nations and other international human rights organizations to intervene.
The statement stressed that safeguarding the dignity and security of Afghanistani nationals in Pakistan must be a priority. According to the latest report by the International Organization for Migration (IOM), more than 1.2 million Afghanistani migrants returned to Afghanistan from Pakistan and Iran in 2024. This wave of arrests has intensified tensions between Afghanistan and Pakistan, further fueling concerns over the treatment of Afghanistani refugees in the region. Critics argue that such measures could strain bilateral relations and worsen the humanitarian crisis facing Afghanistan.
