Afghan deportees allege police harassment, extortion in Pakistan's KP

Afghan nationals deported to Pakistan have filed complaints of systematic harassment by police in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, including midnight raids, arbitrary detention and extortion demands, according to accounts from returnees. The alleged incidents have intensified following the provincial government's declaration of emergency measures and imposition of governor's rule.

Returnees have alleged that police personnel are detaining Afghan nationals and demanding bribes for their release, exploiting their vulnerable status as deportees. The pattern of complaints suggests widespread abuse of authority across the province's law enforcement agencies.

The allegations emerge during a significant repatriation period, with approximately 27,000 Afghan refugees returning through the Torkham border crossing over a three-month span. This movement is part of broader resettlement efforts, though the reported police conduct raises serious concerns about the conditions faced by deportees upon return.

The incidents highlight tensions between Pakistan's immigration enforcement and its obligations toward refugee populations. While authorities have emphasized resettlement initiatives, reports from returnees suggest implementation gaps in protecting vulnerable groups from police misconduct.