A series of video documents and reports released by the Lahore Chapter of an organization shed light on the plight of Pakistani Pashtuns who are being erroneously taken to deportation centers due to their perceived resemblance to Afghan nationals. This alarming situation extends to their minor children and, in some cases, even the family members of Afghans.
Victims Voice Their Distress
In these videos, the victims express their distress about the lack of information and resources. They are uncertain about the destination of the detainees and the reasons behind these actions. Many are informed that they will be deported to the border due to their lack of registration cards, despite their guardians possessing the necessary documents.
Legal Document Holders Also Affected
Shockingly, individuals with valid legal documents are not spared from deportation. An example is 16-year-old Mansour, who holds a PoR card, but his card was confiscated, placing him at risk of deportation. This young boy is being sent to the border on a bus.
Aurat March Advocates for Affected Pashtuns
Aurat March is asserting that a significant number of impoverished Pakistani Pashtuns are struggling to prove their citizenship. They move from one police station to another, armed with their CNICs (Computerized National Identity Cards) and their children’s birth certificates to demonstrate their legal status, refuting any allegations of being illegal immigrants.
Social Media Confirmation of Deportations
Social media has seen a video of a man being informed by authorities that his 17-year-old son was sent to Afghanistan after being apprehended in a raid in Karachi. This unfortunate incident confirms the deportations taking place.
Citizens with Legal Documents Also Facing Deportation
In another video, a Pakistani citizen from Waziristan presents his child’s birth certificate. However, this document was missing just a day ago. His son has been sent to Chaman for deportation. The father attempts to prove his citizenship by displaying his Watan card and the ID cards of his deceased father and brother. He also alleges that the police confiscated money and the photocopy of his father’s ID card from his child.
Legal Uncertainties Surrounding Afghan Registrations
Lawyer Moniza Kakar points out that the government’s stated number of 1.7 million Afghan refugees is imprecise. The registration of Afghans ceased after the Taliban’s takeover, and those who entered Pakistan afterward were issued tokens without legal status. Consequently, they lack access to legal protection. Despite this, petitions have been filed in the Supreme Court and Sindh High Court, with Lawyers Umer Gilani and Sara Malkani representing the affected individuals.
Concerns Over Profiling by Authorities
Many, including women and children, are reportedly facing confusion from authorities due to their accents or perceived similarities to Afghans, further exacerbating their ordeal.
Government Silence Raises Questions
The government’s silence on this matter raises concerns about the transparency of the deportation process and its hurried implementation. While efforts have been made to seek a response from the interior ministry, as of now, no official statement has been provided.
