Pakistani police forces in Islamabad stormed the homes of Afghan refugees on Wednesday night, the F-17 area of the country’s capital conducting a number of arrests. The operation, which was reportedly pre-announced, targeted the homes of refugees who had come to Pakistan, legally or illegally, after the fall of Afghanistan to the Taliban.
According to Mr. Yousufzai, The Freelance Journalist said: “50 persons were arrested at midnight and we informed them by 1:00 am, and by At 5:30 Am at morning time they released one person”
According to witnesses, the police forcefully entered the houses, assaulted and beat those who resisted and subsequently made arrests. One refugee, who asked to remain anonymous, told Kauser News that the police inquired about visas and took men into custody, while searching the entire house, including taking cash, gold, and some belongings with them.
The refugee said that the children in the house were traumatized by the incident and now become frightened and cry at the slightest sound of voices or motor noise.
This is not the first time that Pakistani police forces have been accused of mistreating Afghan refugees. In recent months, there have been a number of reports of unlawful arrests and beatings of refugees.
The latest operation has sparked outrage among human rights groups, who have called on the Pakistani government to investigate the allegations and hold those responsible accountable.
The Pakistani government has not yet commented on the allegations.
