Human Rights Watch (HRW) has announced that Pakistani authorities have increased the detention and forced deportation of Afghan migrants following intensified border clashes between Pakistan and the Taliban.
In a report released Tuesday night, April 21, the organization said that Pakistani police, through arbitrary arrests and forced deportations, have exposed thousands of Afghan migrants, including children, to serious difficulties in accessing healthcare, education, and other essential services.
According to HRW, police have conducted door-to-door raids and nighttime searches in several Pakistani cities and have detained several Afghans, including individuals holding valid visas.
The report states that many of those detained were transferred to holding centers and later deported, noting that in 2026 alone, more than 146,000 Afghan migrants were expelled from Pakistan.
HRW added that in some cases, police demanded money from migrants in exchange for their release, and those unable to pay were detained and deported.
The organization warned that many of the returnees, particularly journalists and human rights activists, could face serious risks if they return to Afghanistan.
The report also notes that fear of arrest has caused many families to avoid visiting health centers, and some children have been prevented from attending school.
Human Rights Watch emphasized that the forced deportation of Afghan migrants may violate Pakistan’s international obligations and called on the country to immediately halt the practice.
