Uncertain future for Afghan students in Pakistan, many complain of police excesses
New Delhi, Jan 11
As tensions continue to flare between Pakistan and Afghanistan, the fate of many students and asylum seekers in the former's territory hangs in balance as they live under constant fear of repression, police excesses and forced deportation.
Many Afghan students, pursuing their studies in Pakistan, are faced with an uncertain future, as the Shehbaz Sharif government suspended their visa extensions last year, and instead of giving any relief, the state-run agencies have mounted pressure on them, leaving them anxious and panicky about their future.
Many claimed that police excesses have become so widespread that asylum seekers were avoiding hospitals and health centres, even if they are sick.
Hasht-e Subh, a leading portal, shared the plight of many students who shared their consternation over the alarming situation.
Muhammad, an asylum seeker, said, "We cannot even step outside our homes. Bread that should cost no more than 20 Pakistani rupees sometimes costs us up to 100,000 rupees. When we go out to buy food, the police wait for us, arrest us, and demand money. If we do not pay, they deport us."
A woman, Zarafshan, said, "Police come in the middle of the night, break down doors, and storm into asylum seekers' homes. They arrest everyone they find, women, children, the elderly, and the young."
A student named Mudabir said, "If my visa is not extended, six semesters of study will be wasted. Even staying here means I cannot leave my room. Our situation is desperate, and no one hears the voices of students."
Recently, the leading international rights group Amnesty International wrote an open letter to Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, calling for an end to illegal arrests, harassment, and deportation of asylum seekers from Afghanistan.
Dubbing the incident an illegal and inhuman act, it said that the detainees are transferred to detention centres where they have little or no access to lawyers or family members.
According to the organisation, the asylum seekers enjoy no immunity or safety protocol under the international protection standard.
— IANS
Reader Comments
Very sad situation. While the focus is on Pakistan's actions, we must also ask what the Afghan Taliban government is doing for its own citizens abroad? They create the crisis, then their people suffer everywhere. The students are caught in the middle.
Police demanding 100,000 rupees for bread? That's pure extortion. This shows the complete breakdown of law and order. Pakistan talks about human rights at global forums but treats vulnerable people like this. Shameful.
As an international observer, this is a clear humanitarian crisis. Amnesty International's involvement is crucial. The world cannot ignore this. I hope there is pressure from other nations to uphold basic rights for these students and asylum seekers.
Six semesters of study wasted! As a student myself, I can't imagine the pain. Their future is being destroyed. Pakistan should at least allow them to complete their courses. This is not just politics, it's about real lives and dreams.
While the report is disturbing, we must also be cautious. The source is an Afghan portal and the situation is complex due to security issues. Not defending police excesses, but Pakistan has its own challenges with illegal immigration. A balanced view is needed.
We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.