Afghan migrants face extortion, forced evictions by Pakistani police at Torkham
Synopsis
Afghan migrants fleeing Pakistan are reportedly being extorted by Pakistani police at the Torkham border crossing and forced to demolish their own homes before leaving — a humanitarian fallout from the deepening Pakistan-Taliban standoff that regional mediators have so far failed to resolve.
Key Takeaways
Afghan migrants at the Torkham crossing reportedly faced extortion and threats from Pakistani police officers , according to Amu TV .
Pakistani authorities allegedly instructed migrants to demolish their homes before returning to Afghanistan.
Pakistan has accused the Taliban of sheltering TTP militants; the Taliban denies the charge.
Tensions have included border clashes and airstrikes over the past six months .
Aid groups warn returnees are arriving with few possessions amid Afghanistan's deep economic and humanitarian crisis .
Pakistan has not issued a public response to the extortion and forced demolition allegations.
Afghan migrants returning from Pakistan to Afghanistan have reported facing extortion and intimidation by Pakistani police officers at border crossings, according to Afghan media outlet Amu TV, which cited local sources in eastern Afghanistan. The allegations include migrants being stopped multiple times and forced to hand over money while attempting to leave Pakistan.
Extortion at the Torkham Crossing
According to Amu TV, Pakistani police officers were reportedly demanding money from migrants at border crossings, particularly at the heavily trafficked Torkham crossing, often using force or threats. The report noted there has been no public response from Pakistani authorities regarding the extortion allegations.
Beyond financial coercion, Pakistani authorities have reportedly intensified pressure on Afghan families, who are being forced to demolish homes they had built over many years before leaving the country. "Pakistani officials had instructed migrants to destroy their houses and return to Afghanistan as quickly as possible," the report stated.
Backdrop: Pakistan-Taliban Tensions
Islamabad has repeatedly accused the Taliban of sheltering militants from the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), and tensions between the two sides have escalated significantly over the past six months. The escalations have included border clashes and airstrikes. The Taliban has denied the accusations, insisting that Afghan territory is not used to launch attacks against other countries.
Analysts and rights advocates have warned that Afghan migrants are bearing the consequences of this political and security dispute between Islamabad and the Taliban — a concern echoed despite several rounds of talks involving regional mediators, including meetings linked to Qatar and Turkey.
Deliberate Delays and Disruptions Reported
Citing information from the Taliban-run commission responsible for migrant affairs, the report alleged that Pakistan was deliberately delaying the return of Afghans at the Torkham crossing under various pretexts. Trade routes and border crossings have also been periodically disrupted due to ongoing clashes.
Humanitarian Concerns Mount
Aid groups have warned 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 a severe humanitarian crisis. The situation is particularly dire given that Afghanistan's economy has been in freefall since the Taliban's return to power in 2021, with international aid sharply curtailed and unemployment widespread.
Rights advocates argue that the forced displacement of Afghan migrants — stripped of their homes and savings — risks compounding an already fragile humanitarian situation, and are calling on regional and international bodies to intervene.
Point of View
Yet the people being coerced at Torkham have no role in that standoff. What is striking is the absence of any Pakistani official response, which either signals institutional indifference or a deliberate policy of pressure. Regional mediators from Qatar and Turkey have held multiple rounds of talks, but none appear to have included protections for civilian migrants caught in the crossfire — a glaring gap that international human rights bodies have yet to address publicly.
NationPress
8 May 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Afghan migrants reportedly facing at the Pakistan border?
Afghan migrants are reportedly facing extortion and intimidation by Pakistani police officers at border crossings, particularly the Torkham crossing, where they are allegedly stopped multiple times and forced to hand over money. Some families are also being compelled to demolish their homes before leaving Pakistan.
Why is Pakistan pressuring Afghan migrants to leave?
The pressure is linked to escalating tensions between Islamabad and the Taliban-led Afghan government, with Pakistan accusing the Taliban of sheltering Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) militants. Analysts warn that Afghan migrants are effectively bearing the consequences of this political and security dispute.
Has Pakistan responded to the extortion allegations?
According to reports, there has been no public response from Pakistani authorities regarding the allegations of extortion or forced demolition of migrant homes at the Torkham crossing.
What is the humanitarian situation for returning Afghan migrants?
Aid groups warn that many returnees are arriving in Afghanistan with few possessions, limited financial resources, and uncertain futures in a country already facing deep economic hardship and a severe humanitarian crisis following years of international aid cuts.
Are there any diplomatic efforts to resolve the Pakistan-Afghanistan tensions?
Several rounds of talks involving regional mediators, including meetings linked to Qatar and Turkey, have taken place, but the tensions — including border clashes and airstrikes — have continued, and no protections for civilian migrants have been publicly announced.
