The Punjab police have significantly accelerated their operations to identify and deport illegal Afghan nationals residing within the province. To date, authorities have successfully repatriated a total of 32,932 Afghan nationals who were living unlawfully in various cities, including the provincial capital Lahore. This intensified crackdown reflects the government’s ongoing commitment to maintaining law and order in the region.
In an effort to streamline the deportation process, the Punjab police have established 401 holding points throughout the province. These facilities serve as temporary centers where undocumented individuals are registered and processed before being sent back to Afghanistan. The creation of such a widespread network of holding points underscores the scale and seriousness of the operation.
Breaking down the figures, the deported Afghan nationals comprised 12,498 men, 6,686 women, and a notably high number of 13,748 children. This demographic distribution highlights the presence of entire families living without proper documentation in Punjab, which poses complex humanitarian and security challenges for local authorities. The police have been working to ensure that the deportation process respects human rights while enforcing immigration laws.
Further details reveal that among those deported, 10,482 individuals lacked any residential proof, making their stay in Pakistan unlawful. Additionally, 11,100 deportees were holders of Afghan citizen cards, while 11,350 were classified as foreigners without valid documentation. These numbers illustrate the diverse categories of undocumented residents targeted in the crackdown, emphasizing the comprehensive nature of the police operation.
Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Punjab, Rao Abdul Karim, stated that the province’s security apparatus remains on high alert amid these ongoing efforts. He emphasized that the Punjab police are committed to enforcing immigration laws strictly and are focused on deporting all illegal foreign nationals residing within the province. The IGP reassured the public that these actions are being carried out in accordance with established police policies and legal frameworks.
This intensified drive to deport illegal Afghan nationals comes at a time when Pakistan is grappling with complex security and demographic issues linked to cross-border migration. The Punjab police’s proactive approach aims to address concerns related to undocumented residency, which can have implications for social stability and resource allocation. Moving forward, authorities plan to continue their vigilant monitoring and enforcement to ensure that only those with legitimate status remain in the province.
