The Peshawar High Court has granted bail to 68 Afghan nationals, including children under 18 and holders of Pakistan Origin Cards (POCs), ordering their release from detention.

The group had petitioned the court for relief after being held by authorities. In its ruling, the court approved bail for all applicants, with the inclusion of minors and documented individuals drawing particular attention to the case.

Among those released were Afghan nationals holding Pakistan Origin Cards—documents issued to people of Pakistani origin living abroad or those with established ties to the country. Their detention raised questions about the treatment and legal status of individuals with recognised documentation.

The presence of children in custody was also a key factor, with the court’s decision reflecting humanitarian considerations alongside legal arguments.

Pakistan hosts a large population of Afghan nationals, many of whom have lived in the country for decades. Their legal status has remained a complex and often contested issue, particularly amid recent crackdowns and repatriation efforts.

The ruling is expected to influence similar cases, especially those involving documented Afghan nationals and minors, as courts continue to weigh legal and humanitarian concerns.

The spokesperson of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan Zabiullah Mujahid announced on Wednesday that the security and defense forces of the Islamic Emirate will temporarily halt the “Rad al-Zulm” defensive operation on the occasion of Eid al-Fitr and also at the request of Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Qatar.

Zabiullah Mujahid said in a post on X: “The Islamic Emirate, while appreciating the goodwill of friendly and mediating countries, emphasizes that maintaining Afghanistan’s national security, territorial integrity, and the safety of Afghan lives is its national and religious duty, and it will bravely respond to any aggression in case of a threat.”

Meanwhile, Ataullah Tarar, Pakistan’s Minister of Information and Broadcasting, also announced that Pakistan has temporarily suspended its attacks on Afghanistan for Eid al-Fitr at the request of Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Turkey.

A UN official told Reuters on Wednesday that the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) estimated the number of victims of the bombing of Kabul’s Omid hospital by Pakistan at 143 dead.

However, health officials in Afghanistan had earlier reported that the attack killed more than 400 people and injured 265.