Pakistan Intensifies Crackdown on Undocumented Afghan Migrants, Students Amid Growing Deportation Fears
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\nAuthorities in Pakistan have intensified enforcement measures against undocumented Afghan migrants, triggering detentions, housing restrictions, and rising concern among Afghan students\u2014particularly women\u2014over visa uncertainty and the risk of forced deportation.<\/p>\n
In Quetta, the capital of Balochistan, police detained more than 20 landlords and shop owners accused of renting properties to undocumented Afghan nationals during a recent enforcement operation, Khaama Press reported. Local authorities said the crackdown targeted violations of rental and residency laws, and also led to the identification and detention of hundreds of undocumented Afghan migrants.<\/p>\n
Officials described the measures as part of a broader national policy to regulate undocumented foreigners and strengthen enforcement of housing and immigration regulations. Pakistan has previously expanded such restrictions to include bans on renting property to undocumented migrants in major cities, alongside limits on access to utilities, mobile SIM cards, and other basic services.<\/p>\n
Afghan migrants in Balochistan say the tightening rules have made everyday life increasingly difficult, restricting access to housing, employment, and essential services. Humanitarian concerns have also grown, with reports of increased arrests, harassment, and deportation fears raised in communications to international organizations.<\/p>\n
At the same time, Afghan female students in Pakistan report escalating uncertainty over visa renewals and residency status. Many say visa extension applications are being rejected or delayed for long periods\u2014sometimes exceeding a year\u2014leaving students vulnerable to detention and removal despite being enrolled in universities.<\/p>\n
Some students who returned to Afghanistan during academic breaks say they have been unable to re-enter Pakistan due to expired visas, forcing them into prolonged academic disruption. Others report staying confined to campuses or hostels due to fear of police action.<\/p>\n
Education advocates warn that the situation may conflict with international obligations related to the right to education and due process in deportation cases. They also highlight the heightened vulnerability of Afghan women, given ongoing restrictions on female education in Afghanistan under the Taliban authorities.<\/p>\n
The broader context remains Afghanistan\u2019s continuing humanitarian crisis, including severe economic hardship and restrictions on women\u2019s rights, which makes forced returns particularly concerning for female students pursuing higher education abroad.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Pakistan Intensifies Crackdown on Undocumented Afghan Migrants, Students Amid Growing Deportation Fears ———————————————– Authorities in Pakistan have intensified enforcement measures against undocumented Afghan migrants, triggering detentions, housing restrictions, and rising concern among Afghan students\u2014particularly women\u2014over visa uncertainty and the risk of forced deportation. In Quetta, the capital of Balochistan, police detained more than 20 landlords …<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":141613,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"rop_custom_images_group":[],"rop_custom_messages_group":[],"rop_publish_now":"initial","rop_publish_now_accounts":{"facebook_108372464460192_245495985553329":""},"rop_publish_now_history":[],"rop_publish_now_status":"pending","footnotes":""},"categories":[13],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-141614","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-pakistan"],"yoast_head":"\n