Release of 527 Afghan Migrants from Pakistani Prisons Amid Ongoing Arrest Concerns

The Taliban’s Ministry of Refugees and Repatriation has announced that 527 Afghan migrants were released from prisons in Pakistan over the past week. According to a statement issued on Thursday, April 30, the individuals returned to Afghanistan through the Spin Boldak and Torkham border crossings following their release. Images published by the Taliban indicate that women were also among those freed. Meanwhile, reports suggest that Pakistan Police have intensified the detention of Afghan migrants. Sources allege that, in some cases, migrants have been subjected to extortion and coercion. Previously, Amnesty International had urged Shehbaz Sharif, the Prime Minister of Pakistan, to halt what it described as the unlawful detention of Afghan migrants.