Pakistan’s resolve to rid its territory of illegal immigrants has led to the detention of a 15-member Afghan family in Rawalpindi, complete with infants and children. This incident is the latest in a series of aggressive measures targeting Afghans who have overstayed their welcome post-deadline for voluntary departure.
Reports from Dawn indicate that more than 5,673 such individuals have been sent back across the border. Police have been ordered to document every case exhaustively, with records forwarded to the CTD for verification and oversight.
The emphasis on data collection ensures no stone is left unturned in monitoring deportations, reflecting a zero-tolerance stance amid security worries.
Echoing this fervor, Quetta authorities on April 14 rounded up over 20 property owners accused of housing undocumented Afghans. Legal actions followed, unearthing hundreds more in the process and signaling a crackdown on those enabling illegal stays.
Life for Afghans in Balochistan has turned dire, with barriers to renting homes, finding work, and accessing basics eroding their stability.
New rules in the capital region prohibit leasing to foreigners lacking papers, while utilities and telecom services are now off-limits without verification.
Refugees have appealed to international bodies about the surge in detentions and expulsions. Back in March, a massive sweep in Swabi netted over 300 Afghans, enforcing a district mandate for their removal.
Pakistan’s campaign, while aimed at curbing potential threats, raises questions about the fate of families who have called the country home for years, caught in the crosshairs of geopolitical tensions.
