Peshawar, March 2 The provincial government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in Pakistan has temporarily suspended the arrest of Afghan nationals due to the prevailing security situation and the continued closure of the border, officials said on Monday.
A police spokesperson said the decision was taken on the directives of Chief Minister Muhammad Sohail Afridi, who instructed the Inspector General of Police to halt the arrest of Afghan citizens until further orders.
The decision has been taken on humanitarian grounds and to meet administrative requirements, the official said, adding that future action would be determined in line with government directives.
The spokesperson clarified that despite the temporary suspension, measures to ensure the rule of law, protect citizens' rights, and maintain peace and public order would continue without interruption.
Pakistan launched 'Operation Ghazab lil Haq' last week after the Afghan Taliban forces attacked 53 locations along the more than 2,600-km-long border. Pakistani forces continue to dismantle the Taliban's security apparatus.
