Punjab repatriates over 140,000 undocumented Afghans

The department said its Foreign National Security Cell was continuing monitoring and enforcement operations across the province under the government’s national repatriation

LAHORE: The Punjab government has intensified its province-wide campaign against Afghan nationals residing in Pakistan without valid legal documentation, with more than 140,000 people repatriated from Punjab so far, according to the Home Department.

The department said its Foreign National Security Cell was continuing monitoring and enforcement operations across the province under the government’s national repatriation policy. Individuals found to be residing illegally are being detained and transferred to designated holding centres, where registration and other formalities are completed before their return to Afghanistan.

According to official figures, a total of 2,689,295 Afghan nationals have been repatriated from Pakistan, including 140,468 from Punjab.

The Home Department said 39 holding centres are currently operational across Punjab, with 188 Afghan nationals presently housed there. Temporary accommodation, registration and repatriation arrangements have been established at these facilities, while those cleared for return are handed over to Afghan authorities at the Torkham border.

Officials said checks were being conducted in residential areas and markets across the province as part of the ongoing enforcement campaign. The department maintained that the action was specifically aimed at individuals staying in Pakistan without legal status.

The Home Department urged citizens to report cases involving illegal residence, identity fraud or suspicious activities to Emergency Helpline 15, assuring that the identities of informants would be kept confidential.

The Foreign National Security Cell is continuing province-wide coordination and monitoring to support the government’s repatriation programme, the department said.