Punjab Reports 142,820 Afghan Nationals Repatriated Under Government Policy

LAHORE | Nazrana Times Ali Imran Chattha 

Punjab continues to implement the Government of Pakistan’s policy concerning the repatriation of Afghan nationals residing in the country without valid visas, according to the Punjab Home Department.
On the directives of the Chief Minister Punjab, the Foreign National Security Cell of the Home Department is conducting province-wide monitoring and coordinating the process. The department said Afghan nationals identified as staying without valid visas are taken to holding centres, where registration and other required legal formalities are completed before repatriation.
According to a Punjab Home Department spokesperson, 2,760,653 Afghan nationals have so far been repatriated from Pakistan, including 142,820 from Punjab.
The spokesperson said the government’s policy considers the stay of Afghan nationals without a valid visa to be illegal.
As part of the process, officials are checking residential areas and markets across the province. Individuals identified as being without the required legal documentation may be transferred to holding centres for further processing.
The Home Department said 39 holding centres are currently operating across Punjab, with 213 Afghan nationals presently housed there. The centres provide temporary accommodation, registration and arrangements related to repatriation.
According to the department, individuals subject to repatriation are subsequently handed over to Afghan authorities at the Torkham border.
The spokesperson said the Punjab government was continuing administrative and monitoring measures to implement the repatriation policy and called for public cooperation.
The public has been asked to report suspected cases of residence without legal documentation, identity fraud or suspicious activity through Emergency Helpline 15. The department said the identity of informants would be kept confidential.
The spokesperson further clarified that the current action is directed at individuals whom authorities identify as residing in Pakistan without legal status.
The Foreign National Security Cell is continuing province-wide monitoring and coordination as part of the implementation of the government’s policy, the department said.