Lahore: A campaign to identify and repatriate illegally residing Afghan nationals is underway across Punjab. According to a spokesperson for the Punjab Home Department, the Foreign National Security Cell of the Punjab Home Department was conducting operations against undocumented Afghan nationals, with those found staying illegally being arrested and repatriated to Afghanistan.
So far, 2, 689, 295 Afghan nationals had been repatriated from Pakistan, including 140, 468 from Punjab, he added.
He said under the government’s policy, the stay of Afghan nationals in Pakistan without a valid visa was considered illegal. As part of the ongoing crackdown, residential areas and markets across the province were being thoroughly checked.
According to the Punjab Home Department, Afghan nationals found staying illegally were arrested and shifted to holding centres, where arrangements were made for their temporary stay, registration, and repatriation.
The spokesperson said 39 holding centers were currently operational across Punjab, housing 188 Afghan nationals. After completion of the necessary procedures, the individuals were handed over to Afghan authorities at the Torkham border for repatriation.
