In a sharp escalation of its efforts to remove undocumented foreigners, Pakistan has deported 11,371 Afghan nationals over just nine days, according to figures released by the Immigration Department.
On Tuesday alone, 3,669 Afghan migrants were repatriated via the Torkham border crossing, marking one of the highest single-day deportation counts in recent weeks. Additionally, immigration officials reported that more than 2,000 Afghans opted to leave voluntarily the same day.
The Express Tribune reported on Wednesday that this surge reflects a broader and more forceful implementation of Pakistan’s migrant removal policy. Authorities have been instructed to not only target undocumented asylum seekers, but also family members of individuals suspected of criminal links.
This aggressive drive comes as part of Islamabad’s controversial plan to expel around three million Afghan nationals from the country throughout 2024. The move has sparked criticism from human rights organisations and international agencies, who have raised concerns over the treatment of migrants and the potential humanitarian fallout.
Despite the criticism, Pakistani officials maintain that the campaign is necessary to manage security and immigration control. However, with thousands being forced to leave each week, the humanitarian and political consequences continue to mount.
