63 Afghan Refugees Released by Pakistani Police After Unjust Detention

Pakistani police in Sindh province have released 63 Afghan refugees, including women and children, who were detained without just cause. The incident comes amid a recent increase in deportations and detentions of Afghan migrants in Pakistan.

The Ministry of Refugees and Repatriation in Afghanistan has been engaged in discussions with Pakistani officials to establish a systematic approach for the repatriation of Afghan migrants. In the anticipated second round of expulsions, it is expected that holders of the ACC card, or Afghan citizenship card, will also be expelled from Pakistan.

Some Afghan migrants residing in Pakistan have expressed that they find Islamabad's policies towards migrants to be spiteful. They are calling on the Pakistani government to reconsider the deportation of Afghan refugees.

Why this matters: The detention and deportation of Afghan refugees in Pakistan highlights the ongoing challenges and uncertainties faced by displaced individuals. It emphasizes the need for a humane and coordinated approach to address the complex issues surrounding refugee populations in the region.

Pakistani authorities have recently decided to extend the expiration date for Afghan refugee cards, known as POR cards, until June 30, 2024. This extension allows officially registered Afghan refugees to continue receiving benefits in Pakistan, such as access to education, healthcare, and banking services. The decision to extend the POR cards is a regular procedure that depends on the political and security relations between Pakistan and Afghanistan.

The extension of the POR cards is part of Pakistan's broader effort to send back undocumented immigrants, particularly those from Afghanistan, due to security concerns. However, Afghan officials have disputed the deportation efforts, arguing that citizens should not be held accountable for Pakistan's security issues.

The release of the 63 Afghan refugees, who were unjustly detained, serves as a reminder of the precarious situation faced by many Afghan migrants in Pakistan. As one Afghan migrant stated, "We hope that the Pakistani government will reconsider its decision to deport Afghan refugees and treat us with dignity and respect." The ongoing discussions between Afghan and Pakistani officials aim to find a balanced and humane approach to address the challenges surrounding the repatriation of Afghan migrants.

Key Takeaways

• Pakistani police released 63 detained Afghan refugees, including women and children.
• Pakistan plans to deport Afghan migrants, including those with citizenship cards.
• Pakistan extended Afghan refugee cards (POR) until June 2024, allowing access to services.
• Pakistan aims to deport undocumented immigrants, citing security concerns, but Afghans dispute this.
• Afghan migrants call for Pakistan to reconsider deportations and treat them with dignity.