Over 500 Undocumented Afghans Arrested Across Three Pakistani Provinces

ISLAMABAD: Authorities in Pakistan have arrested over 500 undocumented Afghan nationals in a crackdown across three provinces. A joint report by the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) revealed that 517 Afghans were detained from October 11 to 17 in Balochistan, Sindh, and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa.

The report indicates that 97 percent of those arrested were either holders of Afghan Citizen Cards (ACC) or undocumented, with the majority coming from Chagai, Peshawar, and Karachi. Notably, Balochistan accounted for 56 percent of the total arrests, followed by Punjab at 34 percent and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa at 10 percent. Prior to 2023, there was no systematic data collection regarding the arrests of Afghan nationals, but IOM has initiated this process since January.

This surge in arrests raises significant concerns regarding the treatment of Afghan refugees in Pakistan, especially as the country grapples with its own internal challenges. The findings suggest a growing trend of repatriation and detention, which could have broader implications for regional stability and humanitarian conditions.

Moving forward, authorities are expected to continue their enforcement actions, while discussions on the status and rights of Afghan refugees in Pakistan are likely to intensify. The IOM and UNHCR are also expected to monitor the situation closely to ensure compliance with international standards.