Pakistani authorities have intensified their crackdown on undocumented Afghan migrants in the city of Peshawar, launching a series of targeted raids that have led to numerous arrests and the seizure of weapons and narcotics. According to reporting from Khaama Press and other regional outlets, the operations began in earnest on August 14, 2025, focusing on neighborhoods such as Kacha Garhi, Nasir Bagh, and Regi. The police in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province confirmed detaining significant numbers of Afghan nationals who lacked valid legal documentation.
While officials have not released the exact number of detainees, the scope of the campaign has alarmed human rights organizations and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). The crackdown is part of a broader and ongoing effort by Pakistani authorities to address the presence of undocumented Afghans in the country—a situation that has become more complicated following the government’s recent suspension of visa renewals for Afghan nationals. This suspension, which has now lasted for over a month, has left many previously documented residents suddenly vulnerable to arrest and deportation.
According to Sakshi Post, the Pakistani police have pledged to continue their operations, which have involved house-to-house searches and an increased security presence in major cities beyond Peshawar, including Islamabad and Rawalpindi. Afghan migrants in these cities have accused local police of harassment, wrongful arrests, and even demanding bribes for release. In one widely cited case, a detainee reported paying 82,000 Pakistani Rupees for his release after being held for six hours. Others have described similar experiences, stating that police—sometimes in plain clothes—demand to see passports and visas and, if the documents are not immediately produced, uniformed officers arrive to make arrests.
In an effort to further coordinate the identification and repatriation of Afghan migrants, the Pakistani government announced on August 13, 2025, the formation of a special committee. This body, comprising police personnel and intelligence officials, is tasked with collecting and sharing data across various agencies to locate Afghans who hold Proof of Registration (PoR) cards. The committee’s mandate includes both identifying migrants and coordinating enforcement actions, a clear indication that the crackdown is not a short-term measure but part of a sustained policy shift.
The origins of this intensified campaign trace back to a government deadline set for July 31, 2025, by which all illegal Afghan residents in Pakistan were ordered to return to Afghanistan. As reported by Dawn and cited in The Tribune, over 30,000 Afghan nationals in the Quetta division alone were repatriated in less than a month. However, many more have remained, either unable or unwilling to return, prompting authorities to take legal action against those who did not comply with the order.
The suspension of visa renewals has had particularly dire consequences. Many Afghans who were previously residing in Pakistan with legal documentation have found themselves suddenly classified as undocumented. This policy change has effectively expanded the pool of individuals at risk of detention and deportation, a move that has drawn sharp criticism from international observers. The UNHCR has voiced serious concern, noting that thousands of Afghans have been left homeless and vulnerable to mistreatment. According to their statements, “Many have reported being harassed, threatened, or mistreated by law enforcement during the operations.”
Human rights groups have echoed these warnings, arguing that the crackdown risks worsening an already acute humanitarian crisis. The forced displacement, loss of livelihoods, and lack of access to basic protections have left Afghan communities in Pakistan increasingly insecure. As one rights activist put it, “Continuation of these policies risks worsening an already severe humanitarian crisis, making Afghan refugees vulnerable to displacement and loss of livelihood.”
The practical reality on the ground is grim. Afghan migrants describe a climate of fear, with daily life disrupted by the threat of sudden arrest or extortion. In Islamabad and Rawalpindi, reports have surfaced of police intensifying their efforts in recent weeks, often targeting Afghans regardless of their legal status. Some detainees have allegedly been released only after paying large sums of money, raising concerns about corruption and abuse of power within law enforcement agencies.
Pakistani authorities, for their part, maintain that the crackdown is necessary to address security concerns and enforce immigration laws. They have pointed to the seizure of weapons and narcotics during raids as evidence of the need for robust enforcement. “Authorities claimed that they have seized weapons and narcotics from those who have been detained and pledged to continue the crackdown,” reported Sakshi Post. The police have also emphasized that the operations are part of a wider campaign, not limited to a single city or region.
The government’s approach has not gone unchallenged. Afghan migrants and advocacy groups have accused local police of overreach, including wrongful arrests and harassment of individuals with valid or pending immigration documents. According to Khaama Press, “Afghan people residing in Islamabad and Rawalpindi accused the Pakistani police of intensifying arrests of Afghans in recent weeks, with some detainees allegedly being released after they pay large amount of money.” These accusations have only heightened tensions between the migrant community and local authorities.
Meanwhile, the humanitarian fallout continues to mount. Thousands of Afghans have been left without shelter or means of support, forced to choose between the uncertainty of remaining in Pakistan and the dangers of returning to Afghanistan. The UNHCR and other international organizations have called for restraint and urged the Pakistani government to uphold its obligations under international law, particularly with regard to the treatment of refugees and asylum seekers.
The situation remains fluid, with authorities vowing to maintain the pressure on undocumented migrants while rights groups and international agencies push for a more humane and measured response. As the crackdown enters its next phase, the fate of thousands of Afghan nationals in Pakistan hangs in the balance—caught between shifting policies, security concerns, and the fundamental human need for safety and dignity.
With raids ongoing and the political climate tense, the plight of Afghan migrants in Pakistan is a stark reminder of the complex challenges facing both host countries and displaced populations in the region. The coming weeks will likely determine whether these measures lead to greater stability—or deepen the humanitarian crisis already unfolding at Pakistan’s borders.