Startling revelations have emerged regarding Afghan nationals who had voluntarily returned to Afghanistan from Pakistan since October 2023. A significant number of them are now reportedly making their way back into Pakistan through unofficial border crossings.
Engineer Amir Muqam revealed that many of those who crossed into Afghanistan, particularly via Chaman and other border points, are now quietly re-entering Pakistan. “Our special envoys remain in ongoing contact with Afghan authorities on these developments,” he said.
According to sources within the Ministry of SAFRON, nearly one million Afghans had returned to their homeland through the Torkham border, making it the most-used crossing. However, many of those individuals, including some who had returned voluntarily, are now among those sneaking back into Pakistan, often through less monitored routes.
Afghan Commissionerate sources noted that in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), only two illegal Afghan nationals have been apprehended so far. Officials attribute this to a region-specific policy that avoids widespread detentions. Those arrested under the Foreigners Act (Section 14) can face up to six months of imprisonment.
Another concern raised is the influx of Afghans from Rawalpindi and Islamabad into KP. An estimated 75% of those deported from the twin cities have settled in KP rather than returning fully to Afghanistan.
Special Representative for Afghanistan, Muhammad Sadiq, stated that Pakistan’s repatriation policy for Afghans remains unchanged. “No official request has been received from Afghanistan to halt repatriations or allow long-term stays,” he said. “We believe Afghan nationals should return to contribute to the reconstruction and development of their own country.”
These developments have sparked concerns about the porous nature of Pakistan’s western borders and the challenges of ensuring a consistent and enforceable repatriation policy.
