By Sudhir Ahmad Afridi
KHYBER: A total of 2,655 Afghan nationals were deported to Afghanistan via the Torkham border crossing on Monday, as Pakistan continues its nationwide repatriation of undocumented Afghan refugees. According to border authorities at Torkham, the deported group included 1,805 Afghans sent directly by the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) and an additional 850 migrants from the Hamza Baba Gulab Ground transit camp in Landi Kotal.
This mass deportation is part of Pakistan’s intensified campaign to remove foreign nationals residing illegally in the country, following the expiration of the government’s voluntary repatriation deadline. Authorities confirmed that entire families, who had been living in different cities across Pakistan, were sent back to Afghanistan via Torkham.
Border officials provided a district-wise breakdown of the deported individuals. The numbers included: Nankana Sahib (4 males, 4 females, 10 children), Rawalpindi (106 males, 32 females, 42 children), Islamabad (16 males, 14 females, 9 children), Bhakkar (12 males, 7 females, 13 children), Jhelum (16 males, 13 females, 29 children), Pind Takhtan (Jhelum) (26 males, 37 females, 36 children), Attock (23 males, 15 females, 19 children), Chakwal (53 males, 7 females, 11 children), Mandi Bahauddin (75 males, 67 females, 73 children), Mianwali (57 males, 40 females, 71 children), Khushab (109 males, 138 females, 298 children), Sialkot (27 males, 29 females, 50 children), Toba Tek Singh (15 males, 17 females, 50 children), Gujranwala (18 males, 26 females, 44 children), and Hafizabad (6 males, 25 females, 16 children).
All 1,805 individuals from these districts were deported through Torkham by the FIA, while 850 others were processed and sent home via the Landi Kotal camp.
Officials noted that the return of Afghan refugees is intensifying daily, with increasing numbers of families reporting to Torkham for processing and repatriation. The campaign is part of a broader federal initiative to enforce immigration laws and manage Pakistan’s strained resources amid growing security and economic challenges.
While some Afghan nationals are returning voluntarily, others are being forcefully removed after being deemed illegally resident. The deportations have sparked concerns among human rights groups, who are monitoring the process to ensure humane treatment and proper coordination with Afghan authorities.
