Concerns Raised Over the Unlawful Arrest and Imprisonment of Afghan Refugees in Pakistan

Kabul, March 7 (NationPress) The Joint Action Committee (JAC) for Refugees in Pakistan, an advocacy organization operating from Karachi and Islamabad dedicated to the rights of Afghan refugees, has reported that at least 190 Afghan refugees have been unlawfully arrested and detained in the Pakistani capital and Rawalpindi.

Severely condemning the actions of Pakistani security forces and labeling them as a serious infringement of fundamental rights, the JAC underscored the ongoing harassment faced by Afghan refugees in Pakistan and demanded the immediate release of all individuals who have been unjustly apprehended.

The organization noted that the police are detaining refugees despite the March 31 deadline set by the Pakistani government, regardless of whether the Afghans possess a Proof of Registration (PoR), an Afghan Citizen Card (ACC), or a valid visa.

The committee mentioned that approximately 190 Afghans are being held at Islamabad's Haji Camp. Between 60 to 70 Afghans are currently detained at the Pir Wadhai police station, with directives issued to the Waris Khan, Bani Gala, Saddar, Cantt, City, Civil Lines, and Naseerabad police stations to arrest Afghans, irrespective of their documentation.

The civil society coalition demanded that authorities cease racial profiling and the arbitrary detention of Afghans. The UN Charter, Pakistani law, and recent directives from the Islamabad High Court prohibit the government from arresting or deporting refugees, as stated in their announcement.

This month, a coalition of human rights organizations and refugee advocacy groups sent an ‘open letter’ to the Pakistani government urging an immediate cessation of forced deportations of Afghan migrants. The letter asserted that this policy contravenes international law and Pakistan's commitments to refugee protection. The coalition also expressed alarm regarding the actions of Pakistani Police, who have detained numerous human rights activists and deported children without families or legal guardians.

Mohammad Khan Talebi Mohammadzai, an advocate for refugee rights, asserted, "The situation of Afghan refugees in host nations, particularly Pakistan, is exceedingly alarming. The current Afghan government, the United Nations, and international aid organizations must urgently address the circumstances of Afghan refugees in these regions."

Numerous incidents reported by Afghan media highlight the dire situation of Afghan migrants, including hundreds of women and children, who are being arrested by police across various Pakistani cities and forcibly deported. Fleeing from conflict and war in their homeland, Afghan migrants have sought refuge in Pakistan for decades.