Pakistani police in Islamabad have escalated the arrest of Afghan refugees, transferring many, including a journalist, to temporary camps amidst deportation activities. The move has raised concerns about press freedom and the treatment of media personnel in Pakistan. Afghan asylum seekers in Islamabad’s B-17 area were recently arrested and relocated to a temporary camp named Haji Camp.
Rights activists have criticized the actions, stating that they have instilled fear among refugees who lack legal protection despite residing in Pakistan for years. Human rights organizations have urged Pakistan to adhere to due process and international refugee obligations, warning that forced deportations could expose Afghans to significant risks. Amnesty International has called on the Pakistani government to protect Afghan refugees from harassment and unlawful treatment by security agencies.
Pakistan, which has hosted Afghan refugees for over four decades, has intensified efforts to deport undocumented and unverified Afghans, including some with legal refugee status. Since the initiation of the “Illegal Foreigners Repatriation Plan” in September 2023, Pakistan has increased deportations, with around 1,495,851 Afghan refugees returning to Afghanistan. Similar deportation operations are also occurring in countries like Iran, with estimates indicating over four million Afghans deported or forced to return from Pakistan and Iran since September 2023.
