ISLAMABAD: The repatriation of undocumented foreign nationals and Afghan Citizen Card holders from Pakistan continues steadily, following the expiration of the government’s deadline for voluntary departure.
On April 20 alone, 3,387 Afghan nationals left the country, raising the total number of returnees to 979,486 since the initiative began. This mass repatriation effort comes after the government concluded its grace period for undocumented individuals to leave voluntarily.
Pakistani authorities have tightened legal enforcement against those remaining without valid documentation, while stressing that the repatriation process should be carried out with dignity and respect.
International humanitarian organizations are closely monitoring the situation, with some raising concerns about Afghanistan’s capacity to reintegrate the returnees—many of whom have lived in Pakistan for years or even decades.
Officials maintain that the policy targets only undocumented residents and is being implemented in line with Pakistan’s immigration laws. Additional personnel have been stationed at border crossings to manage the influx and ensure proper documentation.
Authorities have reiterated that legally residing foreigners with valid visas or permits are not subject to the current repatriation measures. The government has also pledged to provide regular updates on the number of individuals returning to Afghanistan and other countries of origin as the process moves forward.
