Afghan nationals’ mistreatment allegations rejected

Achakzai clarifies police did not engage in any form of harassment towards illegal Afghan immigrants

QUETTA:

Balochistan Information and Public Relations Minister Jan Achakzai has rejected the allegations made by Afghanistan’s Embassy and Consulate regarding the mistreatment of Afghan illegal immigrants.

Achakzai clarified that the police had not engaged in any form of harassment towards illegal Afghan immigrants. However, he assured that any complaint received would be thoroughly investigated.

Furthermore, Achakzai emphasized that Pakistan abides by both international and domestic laws and ensures that every action taken is in accordance with international conventions, as does the Balochistan government.

Background

In September, Tolo News had alleged that, in the wake of rising tensions between Kabul and Islamabad, Afghan refugees in Pakistan had complained of mistreatment by the country’s police.

An official of the Afghan Refugee Council in Pakistan said that the Pakistani police had arbitrarily detained 100 Afghan refugees in Karachi.

 

Published in The Express Tribune, October 8^th, 2023.