ISLAMABAD, Pakistan — Pakistani authorities have detained at least 800 Afghan migrants in recent days, according to a statement from the Taliban-led Ministry of Refugees.
The arrests, which coincided with protests by supporters of Pakistan’s opposition party, Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), have sparked controversy and accusations of ethnic profiling.
The ministry denied any involvement of Afghan migrants in the anti-government demonstrations, countering claims made earlier by Pakistan’s interim Interior Minister, Mohsin Naqvi.
Mr. Naqvi had alleged that Afghan nationals participated in the protests organized by supporters of former Prime Minister Imran Khan, warning that they would face legal action.
Some Afghan migrants living in Pakistan have reported being arrested without justification. The detentions have triggered widespread criticism, particularly in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, where the arrests have disproportionately affected members of the ethnic Pashtun community.
Mohsin Dawar, a prominent lawmaker and chairman of Pakistan’s National Democratic Movement, condemned the crackdown as “beyond shameful,” accusing the government of adopting a “chauvinistic approach.” He argued that Pashtuns in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa face dual threats: terrorism in their region and ethnic discrimination in Islamabad.
In response, the Taliban-led Ministry of Refugees called on Pakistan to refrain from using Afghan migrants as “political tools” in its internal conflicts.
This comes as in recent months, Pakistan has stepped up pressure on undocumented Afghan nationals, citing economic and security challenges.
The arrests have added another layer of strain to the complex relationship between the two neighbors, as both grapple with domestic and regional instability.
