As tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan escalate, Afghan refugees in Pakistan find themselves caught in a precarious situation. Many are facing arrests and deportations as Pakistan intensifies its crackdown on undocumented migrants. Alma*, an Afghan journalist who fled the Taliban, is among those trapped in this volatile environment, struggling to escape to safety.
Alma's Desperate Attempt to Escape
Midnight on February 28, 2025, found Alma and her family at Karachi's international airport, anxiously clutching their tickets for a flight they hoped would lead them to safety in Africa. The family, which includes Alma's husband and their three-year-old son, initially attempted to board two days prior but were thwarted by airport officials. This time, they had secured tickets with a return leg to Kabul, believing that this would appease the authorities. However, they were met with the same refusal. "The officers told us to go back to Afghanistan and fly wherever we want to from there. They said we cannot fly to our destination from Pakistan," Alma recounted. Originally reported by The Guardian.
After being denied boarding, the family sought refuge in a nearby hotel. Their relief was short-lived as the staff quickly decided to evict them upon discovering their Afghan passports. "The employee opened the door and said you have one second to empty the room. When we asked for a reason, he replied, 'It is an order from high up; I am just an employee who is tasked with implementing it,'" Alma said, describing her family's harrowing night.
Escalating Violence and Police Crackdowns
The situation for Afghan refugees has worsened as Pakistan declares an "open war" against Afghanistan, following a series of cross-border strikes against Tehreek-e Taliban Pakistan (TTP) militants. Islamabad accuses Kabul of supporting these militants, prompting a crackdown that disproportionately affects Afghan nationals living in Pakistan. Richard Bennett, the UN special rapporteur on human rights in Afghanistan, warns that returning to Afghanistan poses a "real risk of violent retaliatory attacks" for many refugees.
Amid these developments, Alma fears for her life. As a journalist covering the Taliban's human rights violations, her work places her at significant risk if she is deported. She said, "On Sunday, I woke up to the news of war in Iran and the protest in Karachi. For a few minutes I felt I was suffocating, couldn't breathe and felt this is the end." Her situation reflects the growing anxiety among Afghan refugees in Pakistan, many of whom are journalists, activists, or former government officials.
Stories of Fear and Insecurity
Others, like Leila*, an Afghan woman living in Quetta, are also grappling with fear as police raids escalate. Late one night, she heard loud banging at her door. Her neighbor, a fellow Afghan studying on a valid visa, had already seen her husband arrested just days before. "At that moment, I said to myself that it must be the police, because my friend didn't answer my message. I sat silently in my room. My mother was asleep. Since coming to Pakistan, I have been taking pills because of the intense stress; my heart was in severe pain and I was crying," Leila recounted.
Leila's fears were realized as police arrested three neighbors that night, including two with valid visas. She noted, "Pakistani police used to take money and then let people go. But now they only deport." As police conduct house-to-house searches and set up new checkpoints across major cities, the climate of fear among Afghan refugees intensifies.
Community Responses and Ongoing Risks
In response to the escalating threats, Afghan refugees have started sharing warnings in a Facebook group of over 44,000 members. Posts detail police activities, checkpoints, and locations where raids are occurring. One message stated, "Tonight, after 12am, the police raided our neighborhood and arrested all the men.. it is not clear where they were taken." The sense of urgency and alarm within this community reflects the dire circumstances many Afghans now face in Pakistan.
Abdul*, another Afghan journalist who fled the Taliban, has been arrested twice since September 2025. Initially, he paid 15,000 Pakistani rupees (ÂŁ40) to secure his release, followed by 20,000 on a subsequent arrest. His family now lives under an assumed name, relying on neighbors with valid papers to shield them from scrutiny. "When the police search house to house, we often hide outside," he explained, underscoring the lengths to which refugees must go to avoid detection.
As the situation continues to evolve, the plight of Afghan refugees in Pakistan remains critical. With rising tensions and increased police action, many fear that their hopes for safety could soon vanish.
Originally reported by The Guardian. View original.