Pakistan Repatriates Nearly 1 Million Illegal Afghan Residents Amid Tightened Enforcement

Pakistan’s campaign to repatriate illegal Afghan residents and holders of the Afghan Citizen Card continues at a fast pace, with 9,647 individuals deported on April 23 alone. This brings the total number of Afghan nationals repatriated since the start of the campaign to 993,089.

The nationwide operation gained momentum after the expiration of the government’s deadline for undocumented foreigners to voluntarily leave the country. Authorities are now taking strict legal action against those who remain illegally, including Afghan Citizen Card holders whose status is no longer recognized.

The government has repeatedly stressed that the deportation process is being conducted respectfully. Officials stated that all efforts are being made to ensure dignified treatment of individuals throughout the process, avoiding any form of mistreatment or abuse.

While the repatriation campaign has sparked international attention, the Pakistani government maintains that the initiative is necessary for national security and the regulation of immigration flows. It has assured continued coordination with Afghan authorities to manage the returnees.