LAHORE (Nazrana Times): Pakistan has sent 2,807,250 Afghan nationals back to Afghanistan under its repatriation campaign, including 143,474 from Punjab, according to the provincial Home Department. The department said the campaign targets people living in Pakistan without legal authorisation.

A department spokesperson said the Foreign National Security Wing was carrying out the campaign on the directions of Punjab’s chief minister. According to the spokesperson, Afghan nationals without a valid visa are not permitted to remain in Pakistan under federal government policy. Those detained during the campaign are taken to holding centres, where documentation and legal formalities are completed before they are returned to Afghanistan.

More than 400,000 searches conducted across Punjab

The Home Department said authorities had carried out more than 400,000 search operations in residential areas and markets across Punjab. Cases were registered against 803 people for allegedly renting properties to Afghan nationals who did not have legal permission to remain in the country.

Punjab has 39 operational holding centres

The spokesperson said 153 Afghan nationals were being held at 39 centres across the province. The centres provide temporary accommodation and handle registration and paperwork for repatriation. Once those procedures are complete, the individuals are handed over to Afghan authorities at the Torkham border crossing.

The spokesperson said enforcement was limited to people without legal permission to stay in Pakistan. The department appealed for public cooperation and said suspected unauthorised stays or identity fraud could be reported through Emergency Helpline 15. It said the identities of those who provide information would be kept confidential.

The Foreign National Security Wing continues to monitor and coordinate the campaign across Punjab, the spokesperson said.