Pakistani Forces Raid Afghan Migrant Homes in Islamabad, Detain Over 150 Families
In a continued crackdown on Afghan migrants, Pakistani security forces raided a residential area in Islamabad late last night, detaining more than 150 Afghan families living in the Argentina Park district.
According to several members of the affected families, despite holding valid visas and legal residency documents, they were forcibly relocated to a temporary camp known as “Haji Camp.” The development comes amid an escalation in Pakistan’s cross-border attacks into parts of Afghanistan.
Zahir Bahand, a journalist based in Islamabad, confirmed that police carried out a widespread operation across the city. He reported that around 200 families were violently arrested and transported from Argentina Park alone. The unannounced nighttime raid has intensified fear and distrust among the migrant community.
Migrant rights activists have once again expressed deep concern over what they describe as discriminatory and inhumane treatment by Pakistani security agencies. Mohammad Khan Talibi Ahmadzai, one such activist, urged the Pakistani government to adopt a more rational and humane approach, calling for the deportation of migrants to be delayed until appropriate conditions are met.
With thousands of Afghan migrants fleeing their homeland due to Taliban rule and security threats, Pakistan’s recent actions have added further pressure on the vulnerable population, prompting calls for urgent intervention by international human rights organizations.
