LAHORE: The Punjab government said on Sunday that more than 2.68 million Afghan citizens have returned to Afghanistan since Pakistan launched a nationwide campaign against undocumented foreign nationals in late 2023, with Afghans making up the vast majority of those affected.
According to the Punjab Home Department, a total of 2,689,295 Afghan citizens have so far returned to Afghanistan from Pakistan.
The department said that 140,468 undocumented Afghan nationals had been sent back from Punjab alone.
Under the federal government’s policy, Afghan citizens who do not possess a valid Pakistani visa or other legal documentation allowing them to stay in the country are considered to be residing in Pakistan unlawfully.
The Punjab Home Department said authorities were conducting checks in residential areas, markets and other locations across the province to identify undocumented foreign nationals.
Those found without the required documents are being taken into custody and transferred to holding centres, where arrangements are made for their registration and subsequent return to Afghanistan.
39 Holding Centres Operating in Punjab
According to the provincial authorities, 39 holding centres are currently operational across Punjab, with 188 Afghan nationals being held at these facilities.
The government said the centres provide temporary accommodation for undocumented Afghan nationals while their identification, registration and return arrangements are completed.
Deportation Campaign Began in 2023
Pakistan announced its plan for the repatriation of undocumented foreign nationals in October 2023, directing those without legal status to leave the country voluntarily or face deportation.
The campaign has resulted in the return of a large number of Afghan nationals through Pakistan’s border crossings with Afghanistan.
The policy has also drawn criticism from the United Nations refugee agency (UNHCR), which has raised concerns over the detention and deportation of some registered Afghans and warned against the forced return of individuals who could face serious risks after returning to Afghanistan.
Security Cell Monitoring Operations
The Punjab administration said its Foreign National Security Cell is monitoring and coordinating operations across the province.
The provincial government has also appealed to members of the public to report undocumented foreign nationals, identity-document fraud or any suspicious activity to the police.
Officials maintain that the ongoing operations are aimed at identifying foreign nationals without legal status, completing their registration where required and facilitating their return in accordance with federal government policy.
