Pakistan Detains Over 2,000 Afghan Migrants in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa

Security officials in Pakistan's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province announced that more than 2,000 Afghan citizens were detained during a targeted operation against undocumented foreigners in various areas of the province.

Prosecutorial sources stated that cases have been filed against the migrants, and a court has ordered their transfer to prison pending judicial review of the cases.

The detentions occurred between February 27 and March 4, according to reports from Pakistani media published on Sunday. Approximately 1,600 Afghan migrants were detained in Peshawar, with nearly 400 others arrested in Noshera and Charsada districts.

The operation follows increased border tensions and clashes between Pakistan and the Taliban. Pakistani security officials described the actions as part of efforts to address security concerns and enforce immigration laws amid disputes and the closure of key border crossings, including Torkham.

The Express Tribune, citing Pakistani officials, reported that border closures have temporarily halted the detention and transfer of migrants. Police and local officials indicated that operations may resume after Eid al-Fitr.

They emphasized that the pause is a temporary administrative measure to manage the situation during Ramadan and ahead of the holiday, and does not signal a permanent change in Pakistan's policy.