Pakistani media reports say that authorities are expelling poor migrants while overlooking wealthier Afghan individuals, raising concerns over fairness.
Pakistan’s police have been reportedly detaining and expelling low-income Afghan migrants, particularly in Sindh province and Karachi. Express Tribune Pakistan highlighted that the police have shown leniency towards wealthy and influential Afghan migrants in Karachi, focusing instead on those with fewer resources.
Since the beginning of April, at least 300 Afghan migrants have been detained and expelled daily across Sindh. The crackdown has intensified, with over 80,000 Afghan migrants reportedly deported in the past three weeks. Official statistics show approximately 16,000 Afghan migrants reside in Sindh, mostly in Karachi.
Several Afghan migrants in Karachi spoke to the media, claiming that their families, primarily low-income workers, were detained despite not having enough money for basic needs. They also reported that police refrained from arresting wealthier, business-owning Afghans, focusing instead on poor individuals to meet deportation quotas.
Manizeh Kakar, a human rights lawyer and migrant rights advocate, criticized the police for detaining Afghan migrants who possess valid residency documents. She pointed out that government orders indicated only those with citizen cards (ECC) should be targeted, yet many migrants with proper documentation have still been forcibly expelled.
The current wave of deportations and detentions in Karachi raises serious human rights concerns. Despite being born and raised in Pakistan, Afghan migrants—especially those in low-income brackets—are facing unjust expulsion. The disregard for legal documentation and social status exacerbates their vulnerability.
This situation underscores the need for greater protection of migrant rights and a more humane approach to migration policies. The international community, as well as local advocacy groups, must work together to address these concerns and ensure fair treatment for all migrants, regardless of their social standing.
