A number of Afghan asylum seekers in Pakistan have reported that the country’s security forces have escalated the process of expelling and detaining undocumented migrants. Among those detained are women and children.
Sources among Afghan migrants in Pakistan told media outlet Goharshad on Monday (January 7) that a large number of Afghan asylum seekers have been arrested in areas (I-11), (B-17), and Baharku, which are part of Islamabad, the capital of Pakistan, and have been transferred to camps.
The source did not provide specific figures regarding the number of detainees but stated that women and children are among those arrested.
Additionally, video footage shared on social media shows that women and children are included among the detainees.
In recent days, a significant number of Afghan asylum seekers have gone into hiding for fear of being arrested by the Pakistani police.
The source added that the arrests of asylum seekers have increased following recent tensions between the interim government and Pakistan, as well as the onset of the year 2025.
Previously, two Afghan citizens released a video stating that they were hiding in a bathroom out of fear of the Pakistani police.
The Pakistani police have not officially commented on the arrests and expulsion of asylum seekers; however, the interrogation and detention process continues vigorously.
Asylum seekers report that they have abandoned their homes during the cold season out of fear and have sought refuge on the streets.
Many organizations have reacted to this situation, calling for an end to these actions.
Additionally, some protesting women have described the detention of Afghan migrants by the Pakistani police as a violation of human rights and expressed concern over the continuation of this process.
The Hope Window Movement stated in a press release that if migrants are expelled from Pakistan, they will face serious threats in Afghanistan.
According to this movement, most migrants in Pakistan fled due to threats and are awaiting their asylum cases in a third country.
The statement reads: “The Hope Window Movement considers the forced expulsion and harassment of Afghan migrants, especially women and children, from Pakistan to be a clear violation of human rights.”
This movement has urged the United Nations and human rights organizations to take immediate action to stop the Pakistani government’s measures concerning the detention of migrants.
