Pakistan Orders Immediate Detention and Expulsion of Afghan Refugees Without Visas

The Interior Ministry of Pakistan has officially ordered all provinces to begin the immediate detention and expulsion of Afghan refugees without valid visas after July 10. This decision comes amidst escalating military tensions between Kabul and Islamabad.

New Orders from Islamabad for Detaining Afghan Nationals Without Documentation

The government of Pakistan has taken a significant step by issuing an order to detain and expel all Afghan nationals who do not hold a valid residential visa after July 10 of this year. Official media reports indicate that this decision follows a meeting focused on the plan to repatriate illegal foreign nationals. The Interior Ministry has directly communicated this directive to security officials across all provinces, with particular emphasis on the capital, Islamabad. The announcement has sparked serious concerns among migrant families and civil society activists.

Fear Among Civil Activists and Women Over the Risk of Detention

The new situation for Afghan refugees in Pakistan is particularly perilous, especially for vulnerable groups who fled to the country due to security threats. Several women activists and community leaders residing in Islamabad express that this decision poses numerous psychological and security challenges for them. Refugees, who have relocated due to severe restrictions in Afghanistan, now find themselves facing the threat of detention and forced repatriation. Human rights activists are urging Islamabad officials to reconsider this plan and exempt vulnerable individuals from this directive.

Humanitarian Crisis During the Hottest Season of the Year

Many observers and refugees believe that the issuance of these orders during the hottest months of the year will severely impact the living conditions of migrant children and women. Critics argue that Afghan refugees have consistently borne the brunt of political disputes and tensions between governments. United Nations statistics reveal that the pace of repatriating Afghan refugees has significantly accelerated in recent years, with over two million individuals returned since last year; a trend that has intensified in recent months amid escalating tensions between Kabul and Islamabad.

Linking Border Tensions and Diplomatic Pressure on Migrants

The new directive from Pakistan’s Interior Ministry is issued at a time when the country’s airstrikes in areas of Paktia, Paktika, and Kunar have resulted in heavy civilian casualties, including women and children. Islamabad claims these strikes target armed militants, whereas Kabul regards these accusations as baseless. Afghan officials emphasize that Pakistan’s security issues are an internal matter and should not be blamed on Afghanistan’s failures. Furthermore, the United Nations has stated that Pakistan has yet to provide convincing evidence of domestic attacks being orchestrated from Afghan territory; a situation indicating that Afghan refugees are once again being utilized as tools of political pressure in this ongoing conflict.