19 Afghans arrested in Pakistan Imran Khan protests

During clashes between Pakistan’s police and supporters of former Prime Minister Imran Khan, 19 Afghan nationals were arrested. The protests, which aimed to demand Khan’s release, led to violent confrontations with security forces.

Authorities have stated that Afghans without a “No Objection Certificate” (NOC) must leave Islamabad.

On Wednesday, Pakistani police announced that nearly 1,000 protesters, who had marched for the release of former Prime Minister Imran Khan and clashed with security forces, had been detained.

Thousands of Imran Khan’s supporters marched towards Islamabad and, on Tuesday, bypassed the container barriers that had been set up on the roads leading to the city, reaching the city center.

The protests involved heavy clashes between the demonstrators and the police.

The protests were suspended on Thursday after security forces dispersed the protesters in central Islamabad the night before. Pakistani media, quoting local authorities, reported that Afghans were among the approximately 1,000 people arrested during the protests.

According to Geo News, citing Inspector General of Police Islamabad Nasir Ali Rizvi, 19 Afghan nationals were arrested during the protests. As a result, Pakistan’s Interior Minister, Mohsin Naqvi, announced that Afghans without an NOC must leave Islamabad by the end of December.

In response to questions about the detention of Afghan nationals during the protests, the Pakistani official stated, “After the end of December, Afghans will not be allowed to stay in Islamabad without permission.”

The Interior Minister emphasized that any Afghan citizen who wishes to remain in Pakistan’s capital after December must obtain an NOC from the Regional High Commissioner’s office.

The Pakistani government’s decision to enforce stricter regulations on Afghan nationals highlights the ongoing tension between Pakistan and Afghanistan, especially in light of political protests and security concerns.

The implementation of the NOC system further complicates the situation for Afghan refugees and migrants, many of whom have already faced challenges in Pakistan.

This move also underscores the shifting political and security dynamics in the region, as Pakistan seeks to maintain order within its borders while managing complex relationships with neighboring Afghanistan. It remains to be seen how this policy will affect the broader Afghan diaspora and what steps the Kabul might take in response.

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