A Balochistan police officer was suspended after a viral video circulating on social media showed him and fellow personnel expressing solidarity with Afghan migrants facing deportation from Pakistan.
Caretaker Interior Minister Sarfaraz Bugti confirmed this development and disclosed that Arbab Dawood Kasi, the official involved in creating the TikTok video in question, has been suspended. He further mentioned that measures are underway to terminate the police official from his duty.
According to reports from Pakistani media outlets, three police officers, including an assistant sub-inspector, who were seen in the viral video, have also faced suspensions.
In the video, Kasi is observed criticizing the government’s deportation of the purportedly illegal Afghan refugees and appealing to his fellow security personnel not to mistreat them.
He also expressed his willingness to accept the consequences of his actions, including suspension, and mentioned his intention to seek employment in Afghanistan, where he believes he will be treated with respect.
Additionally, he highlighted the confiscation of properties and demolition of the houses of Afghan refugees being compelled to leave Pakistan.
In a subsequent video posted on his TikTok account, which boasts over 50,000 followers, Kasi reiterated his lack of concern over the suspension, asserting that he willingly sacrificed his duty for the sake of the Afghan refugees.
He concluded the clip with laughter and mentioned his familial connection to Aimal Kansi.
Responding to the viral video, Balochistan Police Inspector General Abdul Khaliq Sheikh ordered the suspension of the police personnel involved.
He also indicated that efforts were underway to identify other personnel featured in the video, all of whom were seen wearing Anti-Terrorism Force uniforms, with potential actions to be taken against them.
The Pakistani government has planned to deport at least 1.7 million undocumented Afghan migrants from Pakistan. Over 180,000 Afghans have been deported from Pakistan since Nov. 1, according to Taliban officials in Torkham border crossing.
