Afghanistan’s Ministry of Refugees and Repatriation has announced that nearly 100 Afghan nationals have been freed from various prisons in Pakistan and have safely returned to the country.
kabul 24: According to officials from the Transit Management Department at the Spin Boldak border crossing under the Kandahar Directorate of Refugees and Repatriation, the individuals were detained primarily for lacking valid legal documents for residence in Pakistan.
After their release, they were registered at the border, provided with immediate humanitarian assistance, and then transferred to their respective home regions inside Afghanistan.
This latest release adds to a series of similar incidents reported in recent weeks, during which hundreds of Afghan migrants have been freed from Pakistani detention centers. Many Afghans in Pakistan face arrest due to strict enforcement of residency laws, often resulting in short-term detentions ranging from a few days to several months.Political analyst Enayatullah Hamam commented on the issue, stating: “The consulates and embassies of the relevant countries are responsible for examining all the rights of these individuals. In addition, they must compensate for any damages resulting from illegal and unjustified detentions.”On the other hand, several human rights lawyers and activists have expressed serious concern over the treatment of Afghan migrants in both Iran and Pakistan.
They argue that arresting and imprisoning migrants without following due legal processes constitutes a clear violation of their human rights. Such practices, they say, not only undermine human dignity but also create additional economic and social hardships for the affected families.
The returning citizens were welcomed by their families and local authorities. The Ministry of Refugees and Repatriation stated that support for these individuals will continue, including assistance for reintegration into their communities.
Officials expressed hope that diplomatic efforts will help prevent similar detentions in the future and ensure better protection for Afghan citizens abroad.However, experts warn that as long as fundamental issues related to legal documentation, work rights, and residency for Afghan migrants in neighboring countries remain unresolved, cases of arbitrary arrest and imprisonment are likely to persist.
Pakistan has adopted stricter policies toward undocumented migrants in recent years, leading to repeated waves of detentions and deportations.Pakistani authorities have not issued any official comment on these specific releases.
The focus now remains on improving bilateral cooperation to safeguard the rights and safety of Afghan migrants while addressing the broader challenges of migration in the region.
