ISLAMABAD — Pakistani authorities have arrested Fatima Sadat, a women’s rights activist, and Fatima Sahid, a journalist, raising concerns over the growing crackdown on Afghan refugees in the country, the Afghanistan Women’s Movement confirmed Tuesday.
Sadat was detained by Pakistani police on Tuesday, Feb. 25, according to Julia Parsi, another member of the organization.
“We, as human rights activists, call for the immediate release of Fatema Sadat and Faheema Zahid,” Parsi said.
The arrests come amid an intensified campaign by the Pakistani government to detain and deport Afghan migrants. In recent weeks, authorities have escalated efforts to expel thousands of Afghans, many of whom fled Afghanistan after the Taliban takeover in 2021.
Rights groups have warned that Afghan refugees, particularly activists and journalists, face serious risks if forced to return to Taliban-controlled Afghanistan.
