Afghan Refugees Complain of Detention and Extortion by Pakistani Police in Islamabad
A number of Afghan refugees in Pakistan have reported an increase in detentions and extortion by Pakistani police in Islamabad and its surrounding towns, stating that their living conditions have become extremely difficult.
According to these refugees, on Friday, February 5th, the Pakistani police conducted a second house-to-house operation within a week in the E11 sector of Islamabad and detained several residents. They add that during the searches, police forces broke down doors and ransacked personal belongings, including wardrobes.
Some of the refugees say they fled Afghanistan due to fear of arrest, retaliation, and pressures from the Taliban administration and sought refuge in Pakistan, but now feel they are once again under the threat and control of a similar oppressive system.
The refugees also say that these actions are not limited to E11; there have been similar reports of arrests and demands for money by police in Faisal Town and several other areas of Islamabad.
This situation has intensified as Pakistan, following increased tensions with the Taliban administration, has expanded the process of detention and forced deportation of Afghan refugees — a move that has raised serious concerns among human rights organizations.
The refugees have called on Western countries and international organizations to pressure Pakistan to prevent the repatriation of individuals who face danger.
The United Nations had previously warned that those deported to Afghanistan, especially women, military personnel, former government employees, and journalists, face serious risks of arbitrary arrest, torture, and other human rights violations by the Taliban administration.
