KHYBER: The repatriation of undocumented Afghan nationals from Pakistan is ongoing at a rapid pace. According to government officials, another 4,384 Afghan citizens were sent back to Afghanistan via the Torkham border crossing today.
Additional Deputy Commissioner (ADC) of Khyber, Irshad Khan Mohmand, told the media that among those repatriated, 1,480 individuals had no legal documentation of any kind.
He stated that since the beginning of April 2025, a total of 29,744 Afghan nationals have been repatriated through the Khyber route.
The government of Pakistan had announced in late 2023 that all undocumented Afghan nationals—those residing without valid visas, passports, or registration—would be repatriated. Under this policy, transit camps were set up in various cities and border regions to facilitate the phased return of Afghan migrants.
On the other hand, human rights organizations and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) have raised concerns over the process, warning that forced returns are adversely affecting many families, especially those who have lived in Pakistan for decades or whose children were born here.
Regions like Khyber, Balochistan, and Sindh have a significant Afghan refugee population. Local authorities claim that law enforcement agencies are conducting the repatriation process with caution to ensure human dignity and the protection of basic rights.
It is worth noting that millions of Afghans fled to Pakistan over the past four decades due to war and instability in Afghanistan. Many of them remain engaged in various professions across different Pakistani cities, including business, labor, and services.
Comments are closed.