RAWALPINDI – Law enforcement agencies in Rawalpindi conducted a late-night search operation, resulting in the arrest of an Afghan commander and 16 Afghan nationals, sources confirmed on Saturday.
During the operation, police and security forces apprehended key Afghan Commander Abdul Malik. The officials also detained 16 Afghan nationals for residing illegally in Pakistan.
According to sources, Abdul Malik previously served as a commander in Afghanistan under the Ashraf Ghani government. Following the fall of Ghani’s regime, he went missing from Afghanistan.
All the detained individuals, including Abdul Malik, were transferred to Haji Camp for further processing. Authorities confirmed that they lacked the necessary legal documentation for their stay in Pakistan and would soon be deported to Afghanistan.
Pakistan Responds to Afghan Diplomat's Remarks on Deportations
On February 19, 2025, Foreign Office Spokesperson Shafqat Ali Khan addressed concerns raised by Afghanistan’s Charge d’Affaires regarding the alleged mistreatment of Afghan nationals.
Khan dismissed these concerns as misplaced, emphasizing that Pakistan has hosted millions of Afghans for decades with respect and dignity, despite limited international support. He highlighted Pakistan’s Illegal Foreigners Repatriation Plan (IFRP), initiated in 2023, which ensures that no Afghan national is mistreated during the repatriation process.
The spokesperson also noted that Pakistan has extensively engaged with Afghan authorities to ensure a smooth repatriation process.
While reaffirming Pakistan’s commitment to fair treatment, Khan urged Afghanistan’s interim government to create favorable conditions for returning Afghans, ensuring their successful reintegration into Afghan society. He stressed that the real test for Afghan authorities lies in protecting the rights of their citizens upon their return.
