More than 2.8 million Afghans deported from Pakistan, including over 1.43 lakh from Punjab

Lahore: Pakistani authorities have deported 2.8 million Afghan nationals since 2023, including more than 1.43 lakh from Punjab province, the Punjab government said on Thursday.

The foreign national security wing of the Punjab government’s home department said, “As many as 2.807 million Afghan nationals have been repatriated from across Pakistan till date, of which 143,474 were deported from Punjab province since September 2023."

It said the government has intensified its ongoing campaign against Afghan nationals residing in the province illegally.

"The operation is being carried out in line with the federal government’s policy that the stay of any Afghan national without a valid visa is illegal," it said.

Under the procedure, illegally residing Afghan nationals are being arrested and shifted to holding centres, established across the province, the home department said.

Currently, it said 39 holding centres are functional in Punjab. The centres are equipped with temporary accommodation, registration and repatriation.

"After due process, the detainees are handed over to Afghan authorities at the Torkham border," the home department said.

The UN human rights experts have urged Pakistan to stop deporting Afghans who face risks of persecution, torture and other serious human rights violations.

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