PESHAWAR, June 4: The Revolutionary Association of the Women of Afghanistan (Rawa) has criticized the law enforcement agencies for meting out harsh treatment to Afghan refugees, especially in the federal capital territory.

“Recently, the Rawalpindi and Islamabad police launched a crackdown against the Afghan refugees and all those, including minor children, who could not produce their passports with valid Pakistani visas were either arrested and sent to the Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi or released by the police after taking huge bribes,” said a Rawa statement.

It said 2,000 refugees were arrested in Rawalpindi, mainly from Sabzimandi, Kachiabadi, Khataria Market and Khayaban-i-Sir Syed, while 470 were arrested by the Sihala police in a day. Of them, some 1,200 were sent to the Adiala Jail, while the rest were set free by the police after taking bribe.

“An Afghan refugee, who had admitted his sister to a hospital in  Islamabad was arrested outside the hospital, when he was buying some medicines. His earnest pleas fell on deaf ear and he was sent to the Adiala Jail,” it said.

According to the statement, 3,000 to 4,000 refugees are detained at the Adiala Jail, including six women and more than 200 children.