The authorities have launched a fresh province-wide operation to identify and repatriate undocumented Afghan nationals residing in Pakistan, with coordinated efforts underway across Peshawar, Nowshera and other districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP).
The latest operations were conducted in several localities of Peshawar, including Saddar and Nauthia, as well as Jalozai in Nowshera, where a number of Afghan nationals were taken into custody for repatriation in accordance with the government’s policy. Similar enforcement and identification activities were also carried out in other parts of the province. Officials said the exact number of individuals detained during the latest operations was still being compiled.
According to an official, a total of 9,923 undocumented foreign nationals have been deported from different districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa over the past four months through coordinated efforts involving the police and other relevant departments. District-wise figures indicate that 3,657 individuals were deported from Peshawar, 1,107 from Khyber, 657 from Nowshera and 652 from Swabi.
To ensure effective implementation, special teams have been constituted, while various districts have been divided into operational zones to facilitate the identification and repatriation process. The authorities have reiterated that all categories of refugees and undocumented Afghan nationals have been encouraged for more than a year to return to their homeland through an orderly and voluntary process.
The government has made it clear that only Afghan nationals holding valid visas and legally recognised travel documents will be permitted to remain in Pakistan, subject to the applicable immigration regulations. A parallel crackdown has also been initiated against individuals involved in obtaining or possessing fraudulent Pakistani Computerised National Identity Cards (CNICs) and passports.
Official figures reveal that the CNICs of 255,139 Afghan nationals have been cancelled during the current year, while the cumulative number of Afghan-linked CNICs cancelled over the past five years has reached 326,341.
Meanwhile, statistics published on the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) portal indicate that approximately 4.766 million Afghans have returned to Afghanistan from Pakistan since 2002. Of these, 182,862 individuals reportedly returned up to September 30 of the current year.
However, a considerable number of Afghans who returned to Afghanistan in previous years subsequently came back to Pakistan, primarily due to security challenges, law-and-order concerns and the lack of essential facilities and livelihood opportunities in their home country.
An official said the latest repatriation initiative had been intensified following the expiry, several months ago, of the documents that had previously authorised certain Afghan nationals to reside in Pakistan.
“Special teams comprising representatives of the district administration and police are facilitating Afghan families in their return to Afghanistan through the Torkham border crossing,” the official said.
During the latest exercise, Afghan families residing in several localities of Peshawar, including Hayatabad, Tajabad, Board, Tehkal, Kohat Road, Charsadda Road, Afghan Colony, Sethi Town, Khazana, Rasheed Garhi and Phandu Road, were identified and approached by the police and district administration. They were advised to complete the necessary arrangements for their return in accordance with the government’s repatriation policy.
The federal government had previously announced July 10 as the deadline for all foreign nationals residing in Pakistan without valid travel documents to leave the country. Provincial administrations, in coordination with law-enforcement agencies and other relevant departments, were directed to ensure compliance with the decision.
The repatriation policy has been implemented in phases. Initially, October 2023 was announced as the deadline for the return of unregistered Afghan nationals, following which hundreds of thousands returned to Afghanistan. Subsequently, March 31, 2025, was set as the deadline for undocumented Afghans and holders of Afghan Citizen Cards (ACC).
Last year, the government also directed Afghan refugees, including holders of Proof of Registration (PoR) cards and other relevant documentation, to return to their homeland by August 30 following the expiry of their documents.
Peshawar has historically hosted the largest Afghan population among Pakistani cities. Over several decades, thousands of Afghan nationals established businesses, entered the local labour market and became part of the city’s economic and social landscape. Many have lived alongside local communities in urban, suburban and rural neighbourhoods for generations.
The ongoing initiative reflects the government’s renewed efforts to regulate the stay of foreign nationals, enforce immigration laws and ensure the implementation of its repatriation policy. The relevant authorities are continuing coordination at district and provincial levels to facilitate the process and ensure that Afghan nationals without valid legal documentation return to their country through designated border crossing points.
