The ongoing Afghan migrant deportation drive in Pakistan has intensified following the government’s deadline for undocumented foreign nationals. Since April 1, 2025, authorities have deported 944 Afghan families, totaling 6,700 individuals, as part of the national repatriation campaign.
Mass Deportations Through Torkham
Immigration officials reported that the deported individuals were first moved to the Landi Kotal transit camp. There, they underwent processing before being sent back to Afghanistan through the Torkham border. Among those deported were 2,874 men, 1,755 women, and 2,071 children.
This phase is part of a broader repatriation effort that began on September 17, 2023. Since then, a total of 70,494 Afghan familiesācomprising 469,159 individualsāhave returned to their country.
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Police Crackdowns in Major Cities
Alongside deportations, police have intensified operations in urban centers like Rawalpindi and Karachi. These crackdowns target Afghan nationals without valid residence documents. Most lacked Proof of Registration (PoR) cards or were carrying expired Afghan Citizen Cards (ACCs).
Authorities processed the detainees at the Golra Mor holding center, where security has been tightened. Officials stated that these operations will continue in the coming days.
Re-verification and ID Cancellation Drive
Law enforcement agencies have conducted a nationwide re-verification campaign.
In Rawalpindi, over 50 Afghan nationals holding ACCs were transferred to temporary camps ahead of their repatriation. In Karachi, similar actions led to the detention of 162 Afghan individuals.
Businesses Shuttered, Communities Affected
The pressure from deportations and police operations has significantly affected Afghan-run businesses. In Peshawar, many shops and offices owned by Afghan nationals have remained closed, especially after Eid. Families fear arrest and forced return, causing uncertainty in affected communities.
Officials have estimated that the current operations are targeting around 16,138 undocumented individuals nationwide. Some with valid PoR cards have been released after verification.
Future Plans and National Scope
Authorities have made it clear that the crackdown on undocumented Afghan migrants will not slow down. Law enforcement is carrying out daily operations to ensure full implementation of the governmentās policy. The campaign remains a high-priority national issue amid growing security concerns and pressure to regulate undocumented populations.
The scale and pace of the operation reflect the governmentās firm stance on illegal residency, with no sign of leniency for those lacking valid documentation.
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