The Foreign National Security Cell of the Punjab Home Department has so far identified, arrested and deported approximately 140,468 illegal Afghan nationals from across Punjab as part of the ongoing nationwide campaign for the repatriation of Afghan nationals residing in Pakistan without valid legal documentation.
The security cell continues to conduct operations across the province in accordance with the national policy governing the deportation of illegally residing foreign nationals. As part of the ongoing campaign, Afghan nationals found residing in Pakistan without valid visas or other required legal documentation are being apprehended and transferred to designated holding centres, where the necessary verification, documentation and administrative procedures are completed before their repatriation to Afghanistan.
According to the overall tally cited by the authorities, approximately 2.68 million Afghan nationals have been deported from Pakistan to date. The Punjab Home Department has continued its province-wide enforcement campaign to identify individuals who are residing in the country without valid legal status.
A spokesperson for the provincial Home Department stated that the stay of Afghan nationals in Pakistan without a valid visa is illegal, and that enforcement measures are being carried out in accordance with the applicable national policy.
As part of the continuing operation, security and administrative authorities are conducting checks in residential areas, markets and other locations across Punjab to identify illegally residing foreign nationals and ensure compliance with legal requirements.
The authorities have emphasized that the campaign is being implemented through established procedures, with individuals identified for deportation transferred to designated holding facilities before arrangements are finalized for their repatriation.
According to the Punjab Home Department, 39 holding centres are currently operational across the province to facilitate the processing of Afghan nationals identified for repatriation. At present, approximately 188 Afghan nationals are being accommodated in these facilities. The holding centres provide temporary accommodation while the authorities complete the necessary registration, verification, documentation and repatriation arrangements.
The system is intended to ensure that individuals identified under the deportation policy are processed in an organized manner before being transferred to the designated border crossing for their return to Afghanistan.
The provincial Home Department spokesperson stated that Afghan nationals determined to be illegally residing in Pakistan are ultimately handed over to the Afghan authorities at the Torkham border as part of the repatriation process. The border transfer constitutes the final stage of the administrative procedure following identification, apprehension, registration and completion of the required documentation.
The authorities maintain that the ongoing campaign is being conducted as part of the national policy concerning the legal status and repatriation of foreign nationals residing in Pakistan without valid documentation.
The Punjab Home Department has also stressed the importance of public cooperation in the successful implementation of the national deportation mission. The provincial authorities have urged citizens to remain vigilant and report cases involving illegal stay, identity fraud or suspicious activities involving Afghan nationals to the relevant authorities.
Members of the public have specifically been advised to contact 15 to report such matters. The Home Department spokesperson assured citizens that the identity of informants would be kept strictly confidential, encouraging members of the public to provide relevant information without fear of disclosure.
The ongoing campaign represents a coordinated effort involving security and administrative authorities across Punjab to identify individuals who do not possess valid documentation authorizing their stay in Pakistan. The Foreign National Security Cell continues to monitor and coordinate enforcement activities, while holding centres remain an important component of the process by providing temporary accommodation and allowing authorities to complete the necessary legal and administrative formalities before repatriation.
The authorities have reiterated that individuals residing in Pakistan without a valid visa or required documentation are subject to action under the applicable national policy.
With 140,468 illegal Afghan nationals already identified, arrested and deported from Punjab, and approximately 2.68 million Afghan nationals deported from Pakistan overall, the campaign remains one of the country’s major ongoing administrative and security operations.
The Punjab Home Department has reaffirmed its commitment to continuing the enforcement campaign in accordance with national policy and has called upon citizens to cooperate with authorities by providing information regarding illegal residence, identity fraud and suspicious activities.
The provincial authorities have emphasized that public cooperation, timely reporting and strict adherence to legal procedures remain essential to ensuring the effective and orderly completion of the national repatriation mission.
