Thirty-seven Afghan nationals were released from prisons in Pakistan and returned to Afghanistan over the past two days, according to data compiled from statements by the Taliban-run Ministry of Refugees and Repatriation.
The individuals, who reportedly spent one to two days in detention, were released on June 28 and June 29 and entered the country through the Spin Boldak border crossing in Kandahar Province. The ministry did not provide figures for releases at other border points, and no nationwide total was disclosed.
In a separate statement, the ministry said that 116 other Afghan citizens had been released from various Pakistani jails on June 26 and June 27. According to the Taliban, some of those detained held valid documentation but were arrested by Pakistani police in different parts of the country.
The releases come as Pakistan prepares to launch the third phase of its controversial forced deportation campaign targeting Afghan migrants. The Interior Ministry in Islamabad had set June 30 as the deadline for registered Afghan refugees, including holders of Proof of Registration (PoR) cards, to leave the country voluntarily.
Human rights groups, including Amnesty International, have expressed concern about the deportation plans. In a recent statement, Amnesty warned that 1.4 million registered Afghan refugees face the risk of forced return following the expiration of the June deadline.
The organization called on Pakistani authorities to halt deportations and extend the validity of PoR cards, urging the government to respect the rights of refugees under international law.
Afghan migrants in Pakistan say they face growing uncertainty about their future as the deportation campaign continues. Many fear arrest and repatriation, even in cases where they possess legal documentation.
