Decision to Launch Crackdown on Undocumented Afghan Nationals in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa

Following a change of government and the establishment of a new administrative setup in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, preparations are underway for a large-scale operation against Afghan nationals, with a formal crackdown expected to begin next month. The federal government has issued instructions to the relevant authorities, making it clear that all undocumented foreign nationals must leave Pakistan before November 1, after which action will be taken against those who remain.

Samar Haroon Bilour, adviser on information in the new Khyber Pakhtunkhwa administration, told V News that Afghan nationals residing illegally in the province would now have to return to their country. She said there was no longer any room for those living in the province illegally and that they would have to leave Pakistan. She added that no country in the world allows people to reside illegally without proper documentation. “You can stay, but you must do so legally. Return to your country, obtain a visa and come back, but no one will be allowed to stay illegally any longer,” she said.

According to Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, the repatriation of undocumented Afghan nationals is already underway, while a crackdown will begin next month. He previously told the media that Afghans returning to their country would not be allowed to re-enter Pakistan illegally. Naqvi said some Afghan nationals returned to Pakistan after being repatriated, adding that stricter action would now be taken against them. A police officer posted in Peshawar said preparations had been completed and that police stations had compiled data on undocumented foreign nationals living in their respective jurisdictions. The officer said operations against Afghan nationals had also been carried out under the previous provincial government, but enforcement would now be intensified.

According to the officer, approximately 500,000 undocumented Afghan nationals are living in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Teams have been established at the police-station level under the supervision of the respective station house officers (SHOs) to oversee the crackdown. The officer said the number of Afghan nationals in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa was considerably higher than in other provinces, partly because of the comparatively lenient approach adopted by the previous provincial administration. The officer added that the federal government had now issued clear instructions that undocumented foreign nationals would no longer be permitted to remain in the country. Those who fail to return by the stipulated deadline will face legal action and, following their arrest, will be deported.