Amid the ongoing arrests and deportations of Afghan migrants from Pakistan, the country’s police have arrested Fatema Bakhtiari, a human rights activist.
In a video message sent to Gowharshad Media, Bakhtiari stated that she was arrested on Wednesday night, September 12, and transferred to a “camp.”
She did not specify in the video from which city she was detained.
In the footage, visibly worried and in tears, the activist appealed to international organizations and refugee support groups for help.
Bakhtiari claimed in the video that she had recently been living in hiding but was still detained by Pakistani police.
She also expressed concern about being deported to Afghanistan.
It is worth noting that in recent months, Pakistan has intensified the arrest and deportation of Afghan human rights defenders, protesting women, and former military personnel.
The Pakistani government’s deportation of Afghan migrants has sparked a wave of criticism from human rights defenders and organizations, who have called for the expulsion to be halted. The government of Pakistan has set September 1 as the final deadline for return, which also includes holders of the PoR (Proof of Registration) cards.
