A growing number of Afghan refugees in Pakistan are voicing grave concerns over intensified police harassment and the looming threat of forced deportation.
Speaking to Etilaat Roz on Monday, August 26, several refugees reported that landlords in parts of Islamabad have begun demanding valid visas from Afghan tenants—warning that they must vacate their homes if they fail to provide them.
According to these refugees, this new measure—imposed by police on property owners—has added to the mounting difficulties they face, alongside daily police harassment and an escalating crackdown on undocumented Afghans.
Refugees say that Pakistan suspended the renewal of residency visas nearly two months ago, leaving thousands at risk of deportation. Pakistani authorities had earlier announced that all Afghan nationals without valid visas must leave the country or face arrest and forced expulsion.
This situation poses a dire threat to thousands of Afghans whose lives are at risk under Taliban rule—including journalists, women’s rights protesters, human rights defenders, and former military personnel—many of whom are awaiting relocation to third countries.
Afghan refugees are now appealing to the Pakistani government to reconsider its decision and not push them toward certain death.
