Another 303 Afghans freed from Pakistani jails

PESHAWAR (Pajhwok): Pakistan has released 303 more Afghan citizens, including 63 women and 71 children, from jails in Sindh province.

The Afghans were freed as a result of joint efforts by the Foreign Office, the Afghan consulate in Karachi and the Afghan embassy in Islamabad.

A private broadcaster reported on Monday the Afghans had been detained in Karachi and Hyderabad for staying in Pakistan even after the expiry of their residential permits.

Samaa TV said the Afghans would be given food, clothes and travel expenses to return to their homeland.

The Afghan embassy in Islamabad confirmed release, saying they would be sent back to their country.

Around 1,200 Afghan citizens without valid travel documents have reportedly been detained in different parts of Pakistan over the last few weeks.

Three days back, more than 520 refugees, including women and children, were freed from prisons in Karachi and Hyderabad. They were deported a day later.

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