Asma Wisal, an Afghan singer who had been living in exile in Pakistan, was released from police custody on Saturday night, according to her family. She had been detained by Pakistani authorities late last month as part of an ongoing sweep targeting undocumented migrants, particularly Afghan nationals.
Wissal, who fled Afghanistan three years ago and had been residing in Islamabad, was taken into custody on Oct. 22 and later transferred to the Haji Camp, a government facility used to detain migrants prior to deportation. Her family said she was at risk of being forcibly returned to Afghanistan, though Pakistani officials have not publicly disclosed the reason for her arrest.
Her release comes amid a broader crackdown by the Pakistani government, which has announced plans to expel more than one million undocumented foreigners — the vast majority of them Afghans — citing national security concerns. The campaign intensified following recent border clashes between Taliban and Pakistani forces, as well as a directive from the Pakistani prime minister ordering the expulsion of migrants without legal status.
Rights groups have criticized the mass deportation drive, warning that many Afghan refugees — particularly women, artists, journalists and former government workers — face severe threats under Taliban rule if forced to return.
In Islamabad and other cities, Afghan migrants have reported a surge in police raids, harassment, and demands for bribes. Some have been detained despite holding asylum applications or other documentation under review by the United Nations or foreign governments.
Pakistani media outlets, citing unnamed officials in the Interior Ministry, reported that law enforcement agencies have been instructed to avoid detaining individuals deemed to have “sensitive status,” though it remains unclear how such classifications are determined or enforced.
Wisal, who rose to prominence through televised singing competitions in Afghanistan, had continued to perform in exile, occasionally participating in cultural events within Pakistan’s Afghan diaspora. Her detention drew condemnation from artists and human rights advocates who feared for her safety if deported.
It was not immediately clear whether Wisal was released unconditionally or remains at risk of future expulsion.
