Amnesty International has called on Pakistan to immediately release Afghan migrants detained in the country.
In a statement posted on X on Friday, the human rights organization said the new year has begun with fear and anxiety for Afghan migrants in Islamabad. The group alleged that Pakistani authorities have launched nighttime raids, harassment campaigns, and arbitrary arrests targeting Afghan migrants.
Amnesty also urged Pakistan to revoke its recent requirement for Afghan migrants to provide additional documentation, such as a no-objection certificate, to reside in the capital. The organization said, “This policy places an undue burden on an already vulnerable group.”
Richard Bennett, the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Afghanistan, has also stressed the importance of amplifying Afghan migrants’ voices in international discussions. He added that countries should avoid politicizing the issue of migration.
These appeals come as Afghan migrants in Pakistan face significant challenges, including heightened restrictions imposed by the government.
