Pakistan detains over 120 Afghans in Lahore
Islamabad, July 18
Pakistani police have detained 121 Afghan nationals while executing an enforcement operation in Lahore.
According to the authorities, 28 out of the 121Afghan nationals were released later as they possessed valid residency documents, while the 93 others were transferred to a holding centre in Lahore, Khaama Press reported.
This operation is part of an ongoing nationwide campaign by Pakistan. Islamabad has detained and deported hundreds of thousands of Afghans since late 2023.
The enforcement was intensified after the deadline for undocumented Afghans to return had expired earlier this month.
According to the Taliban administration, 3,753 Afghans returned through multiple border crossings on Friday. It did not specify the number of people who were deported from Pakistan, or returned voluntarily, even from other neighbouring countries.
According to the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) and UN agencies, the continued return of large numbers of Afghans is placing additional pressure on humanitarian services in Afghanistan.
In Afghanistan, millions of people already face food insecurity, unemployment and limited access to healthcare and basic public services, noted Khama Press.
"Afghan migrants in Pakistan said authorities are now detaining not only undocumented migrants but also Afghans whose visas or Afghan Citizen Cards (ACC) have expired. Pakistani authorities say the campaign is underway in Punjab, Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Balochistan, Gilgit-Baltistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir," Amu TV reported.
An Afghan journalist in Pakistan stressed that many of those who fled after the Taliban returned to power in 2021 remain at risk.
"Those who sought refuge in Pakistan after 2021 are refugees, not ordinary migrants," she said. "Returning them to Afghanistan could cost them their lives," highlighted the report by Amu TV.
Pakistan has been warned by the United Nations and international human rights organisations to halt the forced deportations, warning that many returning Afghans could face persecution, arbitrary detention, torture or reprisals upon their return.
— IANS
Reader Comments
I'm not surprised. Pakistan has been doing this since last year, and it's a convenient way to blame Afghans for their own problems. But what about the human rights aspect? The UN has warned them, but they don't care. This is just another example of how South Asia treats refugees as pawns in geopolitical games.
Look, I understand Pakistan's perspective—they have their own economic issues and security concerns. But rounding up people who have been living there for years, including those with valid documents, is harsh. The Taliban government says thousands are returning daily, but who knows if they're going back voluntarily or forced? 😕
As an international observer, this is a concerning trend. The humanitarian situation in Afghanistan is already dire—over 28 million need assistance. Pakistan deporting people back to that chaos is like adding fuel to the fire. The US and other countries should step in to help resettle these vulnerable Afghans who are caught in between.
This is deeply troubling. The Afghan journalist quoted in the report said it perfectly—those who fled after 2021 are refugees, not ordinary migrants. Pakistan has a moral duty to protect them, especially given the history of Afghan-Pak ties. Deporting them could literally be a death sentence under the Taliban regime. India should raise this at international forums.
Honestly, I'm tired of Pakistan playing the victim card while doing things like this. They host terrorists from Lashkar-e-Taiba and others, but then target innocent Afghan refugees. It's hypocritical. The international community needs to hold them accountable, not just issue warnings that they ignore. 🙏
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