Taliban Raises Alarm Over Afghan Refugees Detained in Pakistan

The Taliban administration has expressed concern over the conditions faced by Afghan refugees in Pakistan. The Taliban-run embassy in Islamabad announced that around 10,000 Afghan refugees are currently being held in prisons and detention centers across Pakistan. According to Sardar Ahmad Shakeeb, the Taliban’s ambassador in Pakistan, there has been a rise in the arrest and deportation of Afghan refugees, with their humanitarian situation described as alarming.

Ambassador Shakeeb also reported that key border crossings, including Torkham and Chaman (Boldak), have been closed for nearly three weeks. This closure has brought cross-border travel and economic exchanges between the two countries to a complete standstill. Thousands of people and their families are now stranded near highways, facing shortages of food, medicine, shelter, and clean drinking water.

He warned that due to a lack of basic necessities, at least three children and one woman have died in recent days. According to Shakeeb, in some parts of Pakistan—particularly in Punjab, Sialkot, Khushab, and Attock—detainees are only released upon payment, a situation he described as deeply troubling.

The Taliban embassy has called on the Pakistani government to reopen the Torkham, Boldak, Angoor Adda, and Ghulam Khan border crossings as soon as possible to facilitate the dignified and orderly return of Afghan refugees. The statement also urged Pakistani authorities to temporarily halt forced deportations until the borders are reopened and proper humanitarian conditions are ensured for detained refugees.

The Taliban administration has further appealed to the UN High Commissioner for Refugees and other international organizations to take urgent and effective measures to prevent a potential humanitarian disaster.