Afghan Refugees Complain of Police Arrests and Extortion in Islamabad
A number of Afghan refugees in Pakistan have reported an increase in arrests and extortion by Pakistani police in Islamabad and its surrounding neighborhoods, saying their living conditions have become extremely difficult.
According to these refugees, on Friday, February 5, the Pakistani police conducted a second house-to-house operation within a week in the E11 area of Islamabad, detaining several residents. They added that during the inspections, police forces broke down house doors and searched personal belongings, including wardrobes.
Some of these refugees stated that they fled Afghanistan due to fear of arrest, retaliation, and pressure from the Taliban administration and sought refuge in Pakistan, but now they feel they are once again under the threat and control of a similar structure.
The refugees said these actions are not limited to E11; similar arrests and requests for bribes by police have also been reported from Faisal Town and several other areas of Islamabad.
This situation has intensified while Pakistan, following escalating tensions with the Taliban administration, has broadened the process of arresting and forcibly deporting Afghan refugees—an action that has raised serious concerns among human rights organizations.
The refugees have urged Western countries and international organizations to pressure Pakistan to prevent the return of individuals facing 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 detention, torture, and other human rights violations by the Taliban administration.
