The Taliban-led Afghan embassy in Islamabad reported on Monday that Pakistani authorities have detained 800 Afghan migrants, including individuals with valid residency documents.

In a statement on X, the embassy claimed that the detained migrants included those holding visas, Proof of Registration (POR), or Afghan Citizen Card (ACC) documents, which are meant to authorize their stay in Pakistan.

The embassy highlighted the difficulties Afghan migrants face in obtaining a No Objection Certificate (NOC), which has become a prerequisite for avoiding detention. According to the Taliban, Pakistani security forces are targeting migrants in Islamabad who lack NOCs, even if they possess other valid documents.

Taliban also noted that among those deported back to Afghanistan, 137 had valid visas but were awaiting extensions.

Taliban described the situation as worsening, emphasizing that women and children have been separated from their families during the arrests. They urged Pakistan to uphold the rights and safety of Afghan nationals residing within its borders.

The statement also called on the United Nations and international human rights organizations to intervene and address Pakistan’s policies toward Afghan migrants.

According to the United Nations, approximately three million Afghan migrants currently reside in Pakistan. The International Organization for Migration (IOM) reported that over 1.2 million Afghan migrants returned to Afghanistan in 2024, highlighting the escalating challenges faced by those still living in Pakistan.

Source: Amu TV

BDST: 2046 HRS, JAN 07, 2025
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