A Pakistani court has intervened to halt the deportation of 150 Afghan musicians and singers for a minimum of two months. The court has directed authorities not to expel or compel them to return home until their asylum applications are processed. These individuals are part of the half a million Afghans who fled Afghanistan following the Taliban's takeover in 2021. Pakistan, like many other nations, has not recognized the Taliban government in Afghanistan due to concerns over their strict measures, particularly regarding the rights of women and minorities.
The legal battle for the Afghan performers was led by a defense lawyer who described the court order as a significant relief for his clients. The crackdown on migrants in Pakistan, which began in 2023, has raised uncertainties for many individuals. The United Nations agencies have criticized the forced expulsions of Afghans, warning of potential human rights violations such as family separations and deportations of minors.
