ISLAMABAD, (TDI): Pakitan refuted claims by Afghanistan’s diplomatic mission that it had detained around 800 Afghan citizens. The administration clarified that its actions focused solely on repatriating undocumented foreign nationals in line with the law.
Pakistan has long been a host to Afghan refugees, welcoming over four million individuals after the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan in 1979.
Many were registered with the United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR) and issued Proof of Registration (PoR) cards and Afghan Citizen Cards (ACC), enabling them to reside legally and access essential services like healthcare and banking.
A new wave of Afghan refugees arrived following the Taliban’s takeover of Kabul in 2021, coinciding with the withdrawal of US-led international forces.
In response to rising economic challenges and increased militant violence—allegedly perpetrated by groups operating from Afghan territory—Pakistan initiated a crackdown on “illegal immigrants,” primarily targeting Afghans, citing national security concerns.
Pakistani officials reported in 2023 that some Afghan nationals were linked to attacks, including suicide bombings against civilians and security forces. However, these claims were denied by the Afghan administration.
On Monday, the Afghan embassy in Pakistan alleged that federal authorities in Islamabad had detained approximately 800 Afghan nationals, including individuals registered with the UNHCR.
The ICT administration dismissed these allegations in a statement, emphasizing that only undocumented foreign nationals were being repatriated.
“It is clarified that only illegal foreign nationals are being repatriated in accordance with the law,” the statement read. “Afghan nationals holding valid documentation—such as Proof of Registration (PoR) cards, Afghan Citizen Cards (ACC), visas, or those listed for third-country resettlement—are not being repatriated. Islamabad Civil Administration remains committed to safeguarding the rights of all documented individuals.”
The statement further explained that search and combing operations were conducted in accordance with the law, offering undocumented individuals an opportunity to validate their status.
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In 2025, the ICT administration confirmed the deportation of 183 undocumented foreign nationals, with two others still in custody.
Officials underscored that all deportees lacked legal documentation and reiterated that the operations targeted only undocumented individuals.
“The civil administration reaffirms its commitment to ensuring fair and humane treatment of all individuals while strictly adhering to legal requirements,” the statement said, urging foreign nationals to carry valid documents to avoid inconvenience.
In November of the previous year, Pakistani authorities had announced that Afghan nationals would require no-objection certificates (NOCs) to remain in Islamabad.
This decision followed the detention of several Afghans who reportedly participated in a political rally organized by former Prime Minister Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party. The rally turned violent, resulting in casualties.
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The Afghan embassy voiced concerns about what it described as “unwarranted arrests, home searches, and extortion targeting Afghan nationals.” It highlighted the detentions, including 137 individuals registered with the UNHCR who had applied for visa extensions.
