The Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa government has completed all preparations for the decisive phase of deporting illegally residing Afghan refugees. Officials finalized plans to send approximately 20,000 Afghan nationals from Peshawar back to Afghanistan in a phased manner.
This initiative is part of a joint federal and provincial repatriation drive. The campaign specifically targets illegal immigrants and individuals holding specific or questionable documents.
Extensive Data Collection by Law Enforcement
To prepare for the operation, law enforcement agencies compiled comprehensive lists of targeted Afghan residents. Reliable sources confirmed that several departments collaborated closely on this task. These included:
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The police Special Branch
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The District Security Branch
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The Peshawar Police force
Together, these agencies finalized detailed data of the individuals concerned. Additionally, the provincial authorities requisitioned the specialized services of the Federal Constabulary to assist field teams during the upcoming operations.
Phased Repatriation Strategy via Torkham Border
According to Peshawar Police officials, the formal operation will commence immediately after the conclusion of the ongoing polio vaccination campaign. The administrative plan outlines a very structured relocation process for the families.
First, authorities will move Afghan families living in both urban and rural areas of Peshawar to the Nasir Bagh Transit Centre. Next, staff at the center will complete mandatory registrations and other legal formalities. Finally, officials will safely repatriate the individuals to Afghanistan via the Torkham border crossing.
The Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa government has been formally briefed about the plan. Consequently, leadership directed all relevant departments to ensure a highly coordinated and smooth implementation of the entire operation.
Targeted Areas and Commercial Zones
Police teams successfully collected the exact particulars of Afghan refugees from several key residential neighborhoods. The mapped areas include Afghan Colony, Charsadda Road, Bakshu, Chamkani, Pashtakhara, Ring Road, and Nasir Bagh. Officers also gathered data from Board Bazaar, Rashid Garhi, Panj Katha Chowk, Shero Jhangi, Khazana, and Warsak Road colonies.
Furthermore, officials prepared separate tracking lists for Afghan nationals associated with local businesses. These targeted commercial locations include the Fruit Market, Vegetable Market, Sheba Bazaar, and Khyber Bazaar, alongside various local factories.
Commitment to a Dignified Legal Process
Despite the strict nature of the crackdown, management emphasized that human dignity remains a priority. Police officials emphasized that the repatriation will be carried out in a dignified manner in accordance with the provincial government’s plan.
However, security forces maintain a zero-tolerance policy regarding any resistance to the state-mandated order. They warned that any attempt to create trouble or resort to violence will be dealt with strictly by law enforcement.
