Lahore: The Punjab Home Department confirmed on Sunday that 138,342 illegally staying Afghan nationals had been repatriated from the province under the federal government’s ongoing drive against illegal foreign residents.
A spokesperson for the department said the Foreign National Security Cell was continuing coordinated operations across Punjab in accordance with the national policy. So far, a total of 2,588,016 Afghan nationals have been repatriated from Pakistan.
The spokesperson said all Afghan nationals residing in Pakistan without valid visas were considered to be staying illegally under the government’s policy. As part of the ongoing crackdown, inspections of residential areas and markets have been completed across the province, leading to the arrest of illegally staying Afghan nationals.
Those taken into custody are shifted to holding centres, where temporary accommodation, registration and repatriation arrangements are made before they are handed over to Afghan authorities at the Torkham border.
The spokesperson said 36 holding centres were currently operational in Punjab, with 53 Afghan nationals presently accommodated pending repatriation.
The Home Department said the statistics reflected the Punjab government’s effective strategy and proactive administrative measures, adding that the Foreign National Security Cell was continuing to monitor and coordinate the province-wide operation.
The department urged citizens to support the national repatriation campaign by reporting illegally staying Afghan nationals, identity fraud or suspicious activities through the Police Emergency Helpline 15, assuring that the identity of informants would remain confidential.
The spokesperson clarified that the ongoing action was directed only against illegally staying foreign nationals in accordance with the government’s policy.