ISLAMABAD — Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar chaired a meeting on Saturday to discuss the potential relocation of Afghan nationals to third countries, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced.
The ministry did not provide further details about the meeting, which comes amid heightened crackdowns on Afghan migrants by Pakistani authorities.
Since the beginning of 2025, watchdog organizations have reported that thousands of Afghan migrants have been detained or harassed by Pakistani security forces as part of a broader campaign against undocumented individuals.
In a discussion on X, Richard Bennett, the United Nations Special Rapporteur on Afghanistan, emphasized the importance of including Afghan refugees’ voices in international policy decisions. “Whatever the political dimension is… we must respect refugee rights,” Bennett said, urging the adoption of long-term solutions to address the plight of Afghan refugees.
Amnesty International has also called on the Pakistani government to “immediately” release Afghan migrants currently in detention, highlighting the urgency of addressing their rights and well-being.
The issue highlights the mounting challenges faced by Afghan refugees in Pakistan, as international organizations and rights advocates push for humane treatment and sustainable solutions to a growing humanitarian crisis.
