Afghan refugees residing in Pakistan and Iran have raised concerns about mistreatment within their host countries. In Pakistan, Afghan refugees have reported incidents where they were arrested by the Pakistani government, even though they possessed legal documentation.
Ahmad, an Afghan refugee in Iran, shared distressing accounts, stating, “For several days now, Afghan refugees in Asfahan have been subjected to severe mistreatment and harassment.”
Zaman Zaman, another Afghan refugee in Pakistan, lamented the lack of response from international agencies, saying, “Up to this point, no agency or the United Nations has taken action to address our plight.”
Abdul Jabar Takhari, the consulate of the Islamic Emirate in Karachi, disclosed that over 900 Afghan refugees have been detained in Pakistan over the past two weeks. Takhari commented, “Numerous Afghans have been apprehended, including those possessing valid documentation. We were able to secure the release of 200 Afghan refugees with legal documents.”
Zabiullah Mujahid, spokesperson for the Islamic Emirate, called for the humane treatment of Afghan refugees in accordance with established laws. He emphasized, “We request that the refugees be treated with respect, following legal and Islamic principles. They should not face harassment or incarceration. Those lacking proper documentation should be repatriated peacefully.”
Advocates for refugees’ rights have urged the host countries to refrain from detaining and mistreating Afghan refugees.
The Ministry of Refugees and Repatriation (MoRR) reported that there are nearly 3 million Afghan refugees in Pakistan, a similar number in Iran, and approximately 1 million from various other nations.
