Police clarifies that the move is temporary administrative measure, not permanent policy shift
Afghan refugees along with their belongings on trucks await deportation to Afghanistan near the Chaman border crossing. Photo: AFP
In view of the border closure and the prevailing uncertainty, the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) Police decided on Monday to temporarily suspend its ongoing crackdown and new arrests of Afghan nationals residing illegally across the province.
According to a police spokesperson, the decision was made on the special directives of the inspector general of police, taking into account the humanitarian and administrative complications arising from the border closure.
Clear instructions were issued to all regional police officers (RPOs), district police officers (DPOs), and relevant police stations to refrain from making any new arrests of Afghan nationals until further government orders. However, cases of individuals already in custody would be processed in accordance with the law.
Read More: Afghan refugees: the human cost of Pakistan–Afghanistan tensions
Senior police officials stated that during this period, authorities would continue compiling comprehensive data on undocumented Afghan migrants, conducting document verification, and validating records to ensure effective and organised implementation of any future government decisions.
Police clarified that the move was a temporary administrative measure, not a permanent policy shift. Routine policing would continue across the province to maintain law and order, take action against criminal elements, and ensure the security of sensitive locations.
Also Read: Crackdown widens as repatriation of Afghans gains pace
Meanwhile, the Peshawar police also issued instructions to police stations to halt operations against undocumented Afghan migrants until Eid.
Over the past two days, more than 1,000 undocumented Afghan nationals were arrested during a crackdown in Peshawar, leading to overcrowding at police stations and a shortage of space in prisons.
Pak-Afghan border clash
Pakistan has maintained its repatriation policy since November 2023 as part of the Illegal Foreigners Repatriation Plan. Authorities have since repatriated approximately 1.3 million Afghans under the ongoing deportation drive.
However, tensions have intensified recently after the Afghan fire on multiple locations in K-P, prompting swift military retaliation.
In response, ‘Operation Ghazab-Lil-Haq’ was launched late on Thursday following renewed clashes along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border. Several Afghan posts were destroyed, and dozens of Afghan Taliban and terrorists were killed.
