ISLAMABAD, Pakistan — Mohsin Dawar, a former member of Pakistan’s parliament and chairman of the National Democratic Movement, criticized the Pakistani government on Wednesday for using the political turmoil surrounding the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party as an excuse to target Afghan refugees.
“Using PTI as an excuse to demonize and harass vulnerable Afghan refugees is not acceptable,” Dawar wrote on X, formerly Twitter. He called the practice “shameful” and a violation of international laws and conventions, adding that scapegoating Afghan migrants had become a troubling norm in Pakistan.
Dawar’s comments come as Pakistan continues to grapple with widespread protests led by former Prime Minister Imran Khan. In recent days, the government has carried out crackdowns on demonstrators, arresting dozens of people, some of whom reportedly include Afghan nationals.
Afrasiab Khattak, a senior politician and former senator, also condemned the government’s actions, accusing it of unfairly targeting Afghan refugees.
“Scapegoating Afghan refugees for PTI’s sit-ins reflects the chauvinism of Punjabi ruling elites,” Khattak said. “Afghan refugees are the least interested in Pakistani politics.”
The ongoing crackdowns have left many Afghan refugees in Pakistan fearful of arrest. Several Afghan citizens reported being unable to leave their homes for days, worried about being detained by police.
Stricter residency requirements
The tensions come as Pakistan tightens its policies on Afghan migrants. On Wednesday, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi announced that Afghan nationals residing in Islamabad must obtain a No Objection Certificate (NOC) by December 31 or face expulsion.
“No Afghan national will be allowed to stay in Islamabad without an NOC after December 31,” Naqvi said, according to remarks reported by The Express Tribune.
Pakistan hosts millions of Afghan refugees, both documented and undocumented, many of whom fled decades of conflict in Afghanistan. The government has faced mounting criticism for its treatment of Afghan nationals, including mass arrests and deportations, amid its efforts to manage political unrest and address security concerns.
