MUZAFFARABAD (Kashmir English): After the March 31st, 2025 deadline, the Deportation of Afghan nationals across Pakistan and in Azad Kashmir continues by authorities who are cracking down on undocumented residents.
Public notice from Azad Jammu and Kashmirs (AJK) Police warning residents against harbouring Afghan nationals without valid documents after March 31st, 2025, has also been released.
The repatriation process of Afghan nationals from Pakistan is continuing at pace, following the expiry of the deadline set by the government. Since April 1st, a total of 944 Afghan families, comprising around 6,700 individuals, have been sent back across the border.
According to immigration authorities, these individuals were first taken to the Landi Kotal transit centre, where they underwent required clearance procedures before being formally deported through the Torkham crossing. The latest figures include 2,874 men, 1,755 women, and 2,071 children. The return movement forms part of an extended operation launched on September 17th, 2023.
Police agencies have increased their efforts for identifying and deporting Afghan nationals who live without legal documentation in Rawalpindi and other urban areas. This includes those without Proof of Registration (PoR) cards or with expired Afghan Citizen Cards (ACC).
Since the start of April, 353 Afghan individuals have been taken into custody in Rawalpindi alone. The detainees are being held at the Golra Mor processing facility, where they are undergoing deportation procedures. Officials assure that their crackdown operation will increase throughout the approaching days with additional enforcement activities.
The government has transitioned to enforcement measures after people missed the self-generated return deadline. Afghan business owners running establishments throughout Peshawar decided to shut up shop after the Eid holiday because of the escalating effects of the government operation.
A countrywide re-verification drive discovered many illegal identities among Afghan nationals and identification cards were revoked. The Rawalpindi authorities placed more than fifty ACC holders into temporary camps where they awaited their repatriation process.
The city of Karachi has seen 162 Afghan nationals who possess expired ACCs detained while these individuals were moved to holding facilities.
The authorities have selected more than 16,000 people for deportation while they perform daily enforcement activities to maintain official deportation compliance. Although the authorities have discharged some Afghans with valid PoR cards, the ongoing crackdown encompasses a large number of individuals.
