Pakistan Begins Screening Afghans In Security Roles At Rawalpindi Housing Complexes

Pakistani authorities have launched a screening process to verify security personnel employed in private housing schemes in Rawalpindi.

The initiative, led by the Divisional Intelligence Committee (DIC), aims to ensure that no Afghan nationals, criminals, or individuals with links to terrorism are working in security roles.

According to Express Tribune, Rawalpindi security officials initiated the operation in response to a rise in terrorist incidents. The report states that intelligence officials in Rawalpindi have met with the owners of 79 private housing complexes to discuss the issue.

Rawalpindi, located near Islamabad, is home to hundreds of thousands of Afghan refugees. Many have lived there for years and operate businesses in the city. Recently, Afghan refugees in Pakistan have faced increasing hardships, including arrests, police extortion, and forced deportations.

The Pakistani government has ordered Afghan refugees to leave Rawalpindi and Islamabad. Under the directive, refugees holding Proof of Registration (PoR) cards, Afghan Citizen Cards (ACC), UNHCR receipts, or documents from Western embassies must vacate these cities by 31 March.

Additionally, undocumented Afghan refugees and ACC cardholders have been instructed to leave Pakistan by the same deadline.