Pakistan has begun the process of repatriating Afghan nationals who are undocumented, according to an announcement. Islamabad has initiated a crackdown on Afghan immigrants amidst recent diplomatic tensions between the two nations.
Last Friday, 16 trucks transported 20 Afghan families to the Torkham border. After legal procedures, around 350 members of these families are set to be sent back to Afghanistan.
In accordance with the directives of the central government, illegal Afghan settlements that have sprung up in the Maragala area of Islamabad are being dismantled by the Capital Development Authority (CDA). The process of taking action against Afghans residing in Islamabad without proper documentation has been ongoing for almost two months.
Over the past year, bordering areas of Pakistan near Afghanistan have witnessed one militant attack after another. These incidents have strained relations between the two countries. Islamabad is calling on Kabul to take concrete steps to control insurgent attacks.
It is estimated that nearly 22,000 Afghan citizens currently reside in Islamabad. The Pakistani government has warned that if they do not return to their homeland by the deadline of October 31, they will face legal action by the security forces.
Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Jalil Abbas Jilani, in support of the decision to repatriate more than 1.7 million Afghan citizens to their own country, asserted that this decision has been made in accordance with international law.
