"The Afghan journalist, who fled the Taliban in October 2024, had already been stopped from boarding two days earlier, on 26 February. Since they were flying with a tourist visa to a country in Africa, they had booked a flight from Karachi with a return leg that they did not plan to use. But the Pakistani officials at the airport refused to let them board."
"Afghan refugees say the developments have triggered a sharp increase in police raids, arrests and deportations across major cities. The employee opened the door and said you have one second to empty the room. It is an order from high up Pakistani hotel worker."
"Richard Bennett, UN special rapporteur on human rights in Afghanistan, says returning to their country will put them at real risk of violent retaliatory attacks. Months of clashes have flared up since Thursday, when Afghanistan launched attacks along the frontier and Pakistani forces hit back."
Afghan refugees in Pakistan, including journalists and activists fleeing Taliban rule, face severe restrictions on leaving the country. Pakistani officials are preventing Afghan nationals from boarding international flights, citing security concerns related to escalating military tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan. The conflict stems from Pakistan's accusations that Afghanistan supports Tehreek-e Taliban Pakistan militants. Beyond flight restrictions, Afghan refugees experience increased police raids, arrests, and hotel evictions based on their nationality. UN officials warn that forced returns to Afghanistan expose these vulnerable populations to violent retaliatory attacks from Taliban forces, creating a humanitarian crisis for millions of Afghans seeking refuge in Pakistan.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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