Afghanistan Peace CampaignThese migrants have stated that, fearing arrest, they are unable to even leave their homes.
These migrants have stated that, fearing arrest, they are unable to even leave their homes.
“They took my son away in a vehicle, and I have no information about him yet. We are currently in a very bad situation. The area where we live is surrounded by police, and every hour we hear news about the arrest of Afghans,” said Younas, an Afghan migrant in Pakistan.
“The police came to our door and gathered everyone living in our block and took them to the police checkpoint. We are currently at the police checkpoint,” said another Afghan migrant.
Meanwhile, the Afghanistan Human Rights Defenders Committee has stated that Afghans in Pakistan are facing harassment and extortion. The committee has called on the international community and organizations supporting migrant rights to protect Afghan citizens in Pakistan.
The Afghanistan Human Rights Defenders Committee said: “The Afghanistan Human Rights Defenders Committee expresses its deep concern over the worsening situation of Afghan refugees and migrants in Pakistan, particularly following the recent directives issued by Pakistan’s Counter-Terrorism Department. These measures have added to the existing challenges of Afghan refugees and have exacerbated issues such as harassment, extortion, and other administrative obstacles.”
The Ministry of Refugees and Repatriation has called on host countries, particularly Iran and Pakistan, to refrain from mistreating Afghan migrants.
Abdul Mutalib Haqqani, the spokesperson for the Ministry of Refugees and Repatriation, told TOLOnews: “Our request to all host countries, particularly Pakistan and Iran, is to exercise patience with the migrants and not forcibly return them.”
“Women and children are the primary victims of this situation. Women and children are spending these cold nights in camps, while on the other hand, human rights organizations and international bodies are paying no attention to Afghan migrants,” said Fazel Saberi, a human rights activist.
Meanwhile, the department of Information and Culture in Nangarhar province has reported the release of 54 Afghan prisoners after serving their sentences in Pakistan.
Tensions between Kabul and Islamabad escalated when Pakistani forces conducted airstrikes on Barmal district in Paktika province, prompting retaliatory attacks by Islamic Emirate forces on positions across the Durand Line.