Pakistan Denies Allegations of Mistreatment of Afghan Refugees, Defends Its Stance:

Islamabad: The Pakistan government has rejected allegations of mistreatment of Afghan refugees, emphasizing its long-standing role in providing shelter to millions of Afghan citizens over the decades. The Foreign Office (FO) spokesperson, Shafqat Ali Khan, issued a statement in response to claims made by Afghanistan’s Acting Consulate General, Sardar Shakib, who accused Pakistan of arbitrary arrests and forced deportations of Afghan refugees.

Serious Allegations by Afghan Diplomat

Afghan envoy Sardar Shakib made strong allegations against Pakistan's handling of Afghan refugees, stating that:

Afghan refugees are being arrested without prior notice.
The Pakistan government plans to expel all Afghans, including those with valid documents.
Afghan citizens in Islamabad and Rawalpindi were allegedly detained and ordered to relocate to other parts of the country.

Pakistan’s Response: Denies Mass Expulsions

In response, the Pakistan Foreign Office dismissed these claims, stating that the government’s actions are part of a broader plan to deport illegal foreigners residing in the country.

The Afghan Embassy in Islamabad had earlier warned that Pakistan intends to expel all Afghan refugees soon, which triggered diplomatic tensions.
Pakistan, however, has reaffirmed that it is only targeting illegal immigrants and not registered refugees.

Current Status of Afghan Refugees in Pakistan

Pakistan has been home to millions of Afghan refugees since the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan in 1979.
As per United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) data, approximately 1.45 million Afghan refugees are legally registered in Pakistan.
However, hundreds of thousands of undocumented Afghans also reside in the country, leading to security and administrative challenges.

Tensions Rise Amid Crackdown on Illegal Migrants

The Pakistani government’s recent crackdown on undocumented migrants has sparked concerns and criticism. While Pakistan maintains that it supports Afghan refugees with humanitarian assistance, Afghan officials and human rights groups fear that many vulnerable Afghans could be unfairly targeted and displaced.

With tensions escalating, diplomatic dialogues between Pakistan and Afghanistan will be crucial in determining the fate of Afghan refugees in Pakistan.