Police say this is a temporary administrative measure and not a permanent policy change
Afghan refugees with their belongings in trucks wait to be deported to Afghanistan, near the Chaman border post. Photo: AFP
In view of the border closure and the prevailing uncertainty, the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (KP) police on Monday decided to temporarily suspend the ongoing crackdown and further arrests of Afghan nationals residing illegally in the province.
According to a police spokesperson, the decision was taken on special directives from the Inspector General of Police, taking into account the humanitarian and administrative complications related to the border closure.
Clear instructions have been given to all Regional Police Officers (RPOs), District Police Officers (DPOs) and relevant police stations to refrain from making further arrests of Afghan nationals until further orders from the government. However, cases of people already detained would be handled in accordance with the law.
Learn more: Afghan refugees: the human cost of Pakistan-Afghanistan tensions
Senior police officials said that during this period, authorities would continue to compile comprehensive data on undocumented Afghan migrants, conduct document verification and validate records to ensure effective and organized implementation of any future government decisions.
Police clarified that this was a temporary administrative measure and not a permanent policy change. Routine policing would continue across the province to maintain law and order, take action against criminal elements and ensure security at sensitive locations.
Read also: Repression intensifies as repatriation of Afghans accelerates
Meanwhile, Peshawar Police also issued instructions to police stations to stop operations against undocumented Afghan migrants until Eid.
Over the past two days, more than 1,000 undocumented Afghan nationals have been arrested in a crackdown in Peshawar, leading to overcrowding at police stations and a lack of space in prisons.
Clash on the Pak-Afghan border
Pakistan has maintained its repatriation policy since November 2023 under the Illegal Foreigners Repatriation Plan. Since then, authorities have repatriated around 1.3 million Afghans as part of the ongoing deportation campaign.
However, tensions have increased recently after Afghan firing on several sites in KP, prompting rapid military retaliation.
In response, “Operation Ghazab-Lil-Haq” was launched on Thursday evening following renewed clashes along the Pakistan-Afghan border. Several Afghan posts were destroyed and dozens of Taliban and Afghan terrorists were killed.
