Afghan Refugees Complain of Police Detentions and Extortion in Islamabad
Several Afghan refugees in Pakistan have reported an increase in detentions and extortion by Pakistani police in Islamabad and its surrounding neighborhoods, describing their living conditions as increasingly difficult.
According to these refugees, on Friday, February 5 (17th of Dey in the Afghan calendar), Pakistani police carried out a second house-to-house operation within a week in the E11 area of Islamabad, detaining several residents. They added that during the searches, police forces broke down gates and searched personal belongings, including wardrobes.
Some 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 living under the threat and control of the same structure.
The refugees reported that these actions are not limited to the E11 area but have also occurred in Faisal Town and several other parts of Islamabad, with similar incidents of arrests and demands for money by police being reported.
This situation has escalated as Pakistan, following increased tensions with the Taliban administration, has intensified the detention and forced deportation of Afghan refugees—an action that has raised serious concerns among human rights organizations.
The refugees have called on Western countries and international organizations to pressure Pakistan to halt the return of individuals at risk.
Earlier, the United Nations warned that individuals deported to Afghanistan—especially women, military personnel, former government employees, and journalists—face serious risks of arbitrary detention, torture, and other human rights violations at the hands of the Taliban administration.
