Pakistani police increase arrests of Afghan refugees, including a journalist

ISLAMABAD: Pakistani police have increased arrests of Afghan refugees in Islamabad, transferring dozens of individuals, including a journalist, to temporary camps as part of ongoing operations to detain and expel them from Pakistan. Sources in Islamabad report that the police have maintained a continuous crackdown on Afghan asylum seekers, applying added pressure on refugee communities in the capital. According to reports, several Afghan refugees were arrested in the B-17 area and taken to a temporary detention site known as “Haji Camp.” Among those detained was a journalist, raising serious concerns regarding press freedom and the treatment of media workers. Afghan refugees have previously reported instances of harassment, extortion, and arbitrary raids by Pakistani police, especially in areas like Faisal Town, where police allegedly conduct operations in civilian clothes day and night. Human rights activists state that these actions have heightened fear among refugee families, many of whom have lived in Pakistan for years without legal protection. Pakistan has hosted millions of Afghan refugees for decades, but in recent years, authorities have intensified measures against undocumented refugees due to economic challenges and security concerns. Human rights organizations have repeatedly called on Pakistan to respect legal processes and international commitments regarding refugees, warning that forced repatriation could expose Afghans to serious dangers. Recent arrests indicate that uncertainty for Afghan asylum seekers in Pakistan has increased, leading to calls for clear policies and protective mechanisms to safeguard vulnerable refugee communities.