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Afghan Migrants Face Extortion and Forced Evictions in Pakistan

Afghan migrants returning from Pakistan report extortion and intimidation by Pakistani police, especially at the Torkham crossing. Pakistani authorities are allegedly forcing Afghan families to demolish their homes and leave the country. The tensions stem from Islamabad's accusations that the Taliban shelters TTP militants, which the Taliban denies. Analysts warn that migrants are bearing the brunt of this political and security dispute amid a worsening humanitarian crisis.

Key Points: Afghan Migrants Face Extortion in Pakistan: Report

  • Afghan migrants face extortion at border crossings
  • Pakistani police demand money, use force
  • Migrants forced to demolish homes and leave
  • Tensions rise over TTP allegations
  • Trade routes disrupted amid clashes
2 min read

Afghan migrants face extortion and forced evictions in Pakistan: Report

Afghan migrants returning from Pakistan report extortion, forced evictions, and intimidation by Pakistani police amid rising tensions between Islamabad and the Taliban.

"Afghan migrants are bearing the consequences of the political and security dispute between Islamabad and the Taliban. - Analysts and rights advocates"

Kabul, May 8

Migrants returning from Pakistan to Afghanistan said that they faced extortion and intimidation from Pakistani police officers, local media reported on Friday.

While attempting to leave Pakistan, some migrants were stopped multiple times and compelled to hand over money.

"Pakistani police officers were demanding money from migrants at border crossings, particularly at the busy Torkham crossing, often using force or threats," Afghan media outlet Amu TV reported citing local sources in eastern Afghanistan.

According to the report, Pakistani authorities have intensified pressure on Afghan families, who are forced to demolish homes they had built over many years and leave the country.

"Pakistani officials had instructed migrants to destroy their houses and return to Afghanistan as quickly as possible," it added.

The report noted that there was no public response from Pakistan regarding the allegations of extortion or forced demolition.

Islamabad has repeatedly accused the Taliban of sheltering militants from the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan, or TTP, and tensions have escalated in the past six months.

The Taliban has denied the accusations and insist Afghanistan's territory is not used to launch attacks against other countries.

The escalations included border clashes and airstrikes as well.

"Afghan migrants are bearing the consequences of the political and security dispute between Islamabad and the Taliban," analysts and rights advocates warned, the report mentioned.

This is going on despite several rounds of talks involving regional mediators, including meetings linked to Qatar and Turkey,

Trade routes and border crossings are also periodically disrupted due to the clashes.

Citing information from the Taliban-run commission responsible for migrant affairs, the report added that Pakistan was deliberately delaying returning Afghans at the Torkham crossing under various pretexts.

"Aid groups warn that many returnees are arriving in Afghanistan with few possessions, limited financial resources and uncertain prospects in a country already facing deep economic hardship and humanitarian crisis," it highlighted.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

V
Vikram M
Pakistan's double standards are showing. They talk about Afghan refugees but then extort and force them to demolish their own homes. Meanwhile, India has provided aid and education to thousands of Afghan refugees over the decades. We don't discriminate based on politics.
S
Siddharth J
It's sad to see ordinary Afghans suffer because of the TTP issue. But let's be honest - Pakistan has been using Afghan soil for their own proxy wars for years. Now the chickens are coming home to roost. The international community must step in and ensure these migrants are treated with dignity.
R
Rahul R
While Pakistan's actions are condemnable, India should also not use this as a propaganda tool. The real issue is that Afghans are being displaced due to decades of conflict and poor governance. Let's focus on providing humanitarian assistance instead of scoring political points.
K
Kavya N
As someone who grew up hearing stories of Partition, this hits too close to home. Forcing people to demolish their own homes before leaving? That's barbaric. Pakistan should be held accountable by the UNHCR and other international bodies. These are human beings, not bargaining chips.
A
Arjun K
India needs to open its doors to Afghan refugees more systematically. We already have a good track record with the Sikh and Hindu Afghan communities. But we should help all Afghans, regardless of religion. A coordinated evacuation and resettlement plan would be the right thing to do.

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