Pakistan cracks down on Uyghurs facing deportation

Pakistani authorities began conducting unexpected house raids on the homes of Uyghurs living in Rawalpindi just before a government order to expel all illegal migrants by November 1.

The deportation measure affects nearly 20 Uyghur families — or about 100 individuals — living in Rawalpindi, who lack Afghan or Chinese passports and Pakistani residence permits.

The Uyghur families are concerned that their safety will be at risk under current Taliban control if Pakistani authorities deport them to Afghanistan. They also fear being forced back to China, where Uyghurs in the far-western Xinjiang region face repression and are subjected to severe rights abuses.

The Uyghurs sought help from the U.N. refugee agency’s office in Pakistan for years without success.