The Taliban said that the Pakistani government deported 5,158 Afghan migrants on Thursday (23 April).
According to the Taliban’s High Commission for Addressing Migrants’ Affairs, 4,609 of the migrants entered Afghanistan through the Torkham crossing, 514 through Spin Boldak, and the remaining 35 through Bahramcha.
Human Rights Watch said in a recent report that the Pakistani government has intensified arbitrary arrests and deportations of Afghan migrants following tensions with the Taliban.
According to the organization, Pakistani police operations targeting Afghan nationals have exposed thousands of people, including children, to serious barriers in accessing healthcare, education, and other essential services.
Fereshta Abbasi, a researcher at Human Rights Watch, said: “Pakistani authorities are spreading fear among Afghan refugees instead of treating them as people in need of protection.” She added: “Abusive police practices are forcing people to forgo food and health care.”
Following the escalation of tensions with the Taliban, Pakistani police have resorted to house-to-house raids, nighttime searches, and arbitrary detentions as part of efforts to deport Afghan migrants.
Human Rights Watch said police have even detained individuals holding valid visas.
Pakistani police typically transfer detained migrants to holding centers before deporting them.
