Kabul, April 15 (NationPress) In a significant move, law enforcement in Quetta, Pakistan, has detained more than 20 landlords and shopkeepers involved in leasing properties to undocumented Afghan migrants, according to local news reports circulated on Wednesday.

This enforcement action, which commenced on Tuesday, was aimed at individuals who "breached rental regulations." The authorities have filed cases against those apprehended under the current legal framework pertaining to housing and foreign residency, as highlighted by Afghanistan's prominent news outlet, Khaama Press.

During the operation, hundreds of undocumented Afghan individuals were identified and taken into custody, reflecting the increasing challenges faced by migrants in Pakistan.

Afghan migrants residing in Balochistan expressed that the constraints imposed by the government have rendered their daily lives more challenging, severely limiting their access to housing, job opportunities, and vital services necessary for basic survival.

Pakistan has instituted a prohibition on leasing properties to undocumented foreign nationals in Islamabad and surrounding regions, extending these restrictions to essential services such as utilities and mobile SIM cards, Khaama Press reported.

In recent months, Afghan refugees have addressed letters to the United Nations and other organizations voicing their worries concerning heightened arrests, harassment, and forced repatriations.

On March 15, law enforcement apprehended over 300 illegal Afghan refugees during operations across various locations in Swabi district, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan.

The crackdown was initiated following directives from district administration and police officials to deport illegal Afghan residents, as reported by Pakistan's leading daily, Dawn. Police instructed Station House Officers (SHOs) to maintain records of all illegal Afghan individuals within their jurisdictions.

Sources indicate that 341 Afghan refugees were detained during raids executed in Topi, Razaar, Chota Lahor tehsils, and other areas of Swabi on March 15. It was also mentioned that these raids will be ongoing, with all Afghan refugees unlawfully residing in Swabi set to be detained and sent back to Afghanistan.

Approximately 30,000 Afghan refugees currently live in various regions of Swabi, with a majority possessing valid documentation, while some remain without it. These refugees are reported to reside in Gandaf Refugees Camp, Gohati Refugees Camp, and numerous farming areas and cities.