KARACHI/RAWALPINDI/PESHAWAR: With the government’s deadline for undocumented foreigners to leave Pakistan now expired, Afghan nationals in major cities such as Karachi, Rawalpindi, and Peshawar began packing up—some voluntarily, while others are being compelled to do so by force.
Authorities have now escalated measures, with law enforcement agencies intensifying operations aimed at what officials are now calling “forced repatriation” of Afghan Citizen Card (ACC) holders.
The voluntary return window has officially closed, prompting a wave of closures in Afghan-operated businesses and offices, particularly in Peshawar.
Many Afghan-owned shops in Peshawar’s commercial centers have remained shut since Eid, as residents brace for the next phase of the government’s repatriation policy.
Simultaneously, the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) has launched a countrywide re-verification campaign, resulting in the cancellation of Pakistani identity cards issued to dozens of Afghan nationals.
A major crackdown is anticipated after April 11. To date, 153 Afghan refugees have opted for voluntary return to Afghanistan.
However, with the grace period granted during Eidul Fitr now ended, authorities have made it clear that no further extensions will be offered. Arrests are expected to follow shortly.
Read More: 153 Refugees Voluntarily Return to Afghanistan via Torkham Border
Though detentions have not yet been reported in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (K-P), sources indicate that action is imminent.
In Rawalpindi, police operations led to the detention of over 50 individuals carrying Afghan Citizen Cards. These detainees have been transferred to temporary holding camps set up for processing and deportation.
Police sources confirm that special teams are actively conducting daily operations in multiple neighborhoods. Families of detained individuals are also being taken to the camps, with arrangements in place for collective repatriation.
Afghan Homeland: Afghans from Karachi
Similar efforts are underway in Karachi, where law enforcement began enforcing the federal government’s directive to deport undocumented foreign nationals.
The focus is currently on Afghan nationals holding ACCs, with operations being described by officials as part of the broader “forced repatriation” campaign.
Also Read: Afghan Repatriation Resumes After Eid Break
According to official figures, authorities are targeting roughly 16,138 Afghan individuals in Karachi, with over 150 already detained as of Friday.
Deputy Inspector General (DIG) South, Syed Asad Raza, confirmed that 162 individuals with ACCs have been transported to the city’s designated holding facility.
Some were subsequently released after their documentation was verified and found to include valid Proof of Registration (POR) cards.
DIG Raza further noted that on April 3, a total of 196 Afghans from various parts of the city had been taken into custody and brought to the facility for processing.
