Punjab continues crackdown on illegal Afghan residents; over 138,000 deported from province

The Punjab Home Department's Foreign National Security Cell said operations against illegally residing Afghan nationals are continuing across the province in line with the federal government's repatriation policy, 24NewsHD TV reported on Sunday. 

According to official figures, 2,588,016 Afghan nationals have so far been repatriated from Pakistan, while 138,342 undocumented Afghan nationals have been sent back from Punjab province alone.

Officials said all Afghan nationals staying in Pakistan without a valid visa are considered to be residing illegally under the government's policy and are being sent back to their homeland.

As part of the ongoing crackdown, authorities have completed inspections of residential areas and markets across Punjab.

Officials said those found residing illegally are taken into custody and shifted to designated holding centres, where temporary accommodation, registration, and repatriation arrangements are completed before their return to Afghanistan.

At present, 36 holding centres are operational across Punjab, housing 53 Afghan nationals awaiting deportation. After completing legal formalities, they are handed over to Afghan authorities at the Torkham border crossing.

The Home Department has urged citizens to support the nationwide repatriation campaign by reporting the illegal stay of Afghan nationals, identity fraud, or any suspicious activities through the Emergency 15 helpline.

It is assured that the identity of all informants will be kept strictly confidential.

The department clarified that the ongoing action is only against Afghan nationals residing illegally in Pakistan, while the Punjab Home Department's Foreign National Security Cell continues to monitor and coordinate the province-wide operation.