According to the most recent report issued by Pakistan's National Commission for Human Rights (NCHR), Afghan citizens who have entered the country illegally have been held in local prisons. There are many women and children among those who are suffering under this situation, including multiple pregnant women seeking medical attention.
The Karachi prison is reported to now hold too many Afghan women and children and is going above and beyond its intended capacity. Currently, there are at least 139 Afghan refugee women alongside their 165 small children reported to be at the central Karachi prison, in the capital of the Pakistani province of Sindh.
Of these detainees, only 59 are known to have been sentenced to have broken laws so far, while the remaining 83 are still undergoing trial. Their charges are all largely linked to illegal entry into Pakistan, as both members of civil society and politicians are pushing to limit the number of Afghans allowed into their country.
All of the 165 small children who are housed with their mothers in the prison are reportedly under the age of nine. However, according to the NCHR, there are at least an additional 111 Afghan minors in the prison aged between of 14 and 18, who qualify to be tried.
The NCHR report says that 92 of them have already been sentenced for breaking laws, while 19 are still awaiting their trial.
Pregnant women in need of help
Many Afghans have crossed over into Pakistan in the past few months. Some are hoping to make their way elsewhere while fleeing the rule of the Taliban in their home country. Others are simply looking for better health facilities and work opportunities in Pakistan, as neighbouring Afghanistan appears to be plunging further into a humanitarian crisis.
More than 70% of the detainees in prison have now expressed a wish to return to Afghanistan, according to Pakistani human rights activist Muniza Kakar.
Some female detainees have been waiting to receive their expulsion order following trial but are "pregnant, in need of medical attention and they need to be in a healthy environment", added Kakar.
UNHCR calls for 'suspension of forced repatriations'
The United Nations agency for Refugees (UNHCR) meanwhile commented on this unfolding state of affairs in Pakistan, stating it was "extremely worried."
"UNHCR has called for states at a global level to suspend forced repatriations of Afghan citizens and former habitual Afghan residents until such time when the security situation, the rule of law and the human rights situation improves considerably," the agency said.
Pakistan hosts over three million Afghan refugees, about half of whom are registered with UNHCR.