Pakistan: Government must stop harassing and arbitrarily arresting Afghans seeking refuge

Amnesty International has called on the Government of Pakistan to immediately cease the arbitrary arrest and harassment of Afghan refugees and asylum seekers, many of whom are fleeing persecution by the Taliban. Since the Taliban's takeover of Afghanistan in August 2021, numerous Afghans fearing persecution have sought refuge in Pakistan, where they face repeated detentions, arrests, and the risk of deportation. Most of them lack Proof of Registration (PoR) cards, which grant Afghan refugees legal status in Pakistan due to registration delays. Many initially arrived with regular visas that have now expired. The situation of these Afghan refugees is deeply concerning, as they are trapped in a legal limbo, unable to return home or secure permanent status in Pakistan, making them highly vulnerable.

Date: June 20, 2023

Source: amnesty.org