Pakistan confirms arrests of Afghan national during Imran Khan protests

Mumtaz Zahra Baloch, spokesperson for Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, announced that Afghan nationals had been arrested during protests by Imran Khan’s supporters in Islamabad.

She stated that the Ministry of Interior would soon release details about the identities and number of those arrested.

Speaking at a press conference on Friday, November 29, Baloch emphasized that foreign nationals’ participation in political protests in Pakistan is “illegal” and stressed that foreigners should stay away from Pakistan’s political affairs.

While Baloch did not specify the exact number of Afghan nationals arrested, this is not the first time Pakistani authorities have reported the detention of Afghans during protests in the country. Similar arrests were made during protests by Khan’s supporters earlier this year.

In mid-October, Pakistan’s Interior Minister, Mohsin Naqvi, claimed that Afghan nationals had been involved in protests organized by Khan’s political party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI). At the time, Naqvi stated that at least 120 Afghan nationals had been arrested. However, PTI officials denied these claims, arguing that no foreigners were involved.

As Pakistan continues to face unrest, the government has recently made life more difficult for Afghan migrants in the country. It has announced that Afghan nationals wishing to reside in Islamabad must now obtain special permits, further straining the situation for Afghan refugees.

This series of protests, and the growing number of arrests, comes at a time of increasing instability in Pakistan. In November alone, 55 Pakistani officers were killed in militant attacks, exacerbating the sense of insecurity in the country. The situation is deteriorating as political tensions rise and violence becomes more frequent.

Supporters of former Prime Minister Imran Khan, who is currently imprisoned, have taken to the streets demanding his release. These protests have not only disrupted the political landscape but also fueled divisions within the country, leading to further unrest and violent clashes with security forces.

With rising casualties and intensifying political divisions, Pakistan faces an uphill battle in restoring order and stability. The country’s handling of both internal protests and external pressures, including the treatment of Afghan migrants, will be crucial in shaping its future political and security landscape.

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