ISLAMABAD – Pakistan continues its repatriation of illegally residing Afghan nationals, with the Ministry of Interior reporting that a total of 682,141 Afghan citizens have been sent back to Afghanistan.
The ministry said that 69,431 Afghan Citizen Card (ACC) holders have also been repatriated. Additionally, 216,634 Proof of Registration (PoR) card holders have returned to Afghanistan from across the country.
On the previous day alone, 375 Afghan nationals crossed the Torkham Border as part of the repatriation process. During the same period, 139 ACC holders and 1,224 PoR card holders were also repatriated.
Officials emphasized that the repatriation drive is being conducted in a systematic and organized manner. Authorities are ensuring that individuals are returned safely while maintaining proper documentation.
The ministry noted that Pakistan is not the only country taking action against illegal Afghan migrants. Other nations, including Turkey, have also stepped up measures to deport undocumented Afghan nationals.
In Turkey, Afghan migrants accounted for the largest number of arrests over the past year. The Turkish Migration Authority reported that over 152,000 Afghan nationals were arrested for illegal stay. Syrians were the second-largest group detained, followed by migrants from Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, and Iran.
Official data indicates a decline in overall arrests of illegal migrants in Turkey in 2025 compared to the previous year. In 2024, more than 225,000 migrants were arrested across the country, showing a slight decrease in numbers.
Pakistan’s ongoing repatriation drive underscores its commitment to managing migration and ensuring border security. The process has drawn attention from international observers, highlighting the challenges of handling large-scale migration movements.
Authorities say that the repatriation operations will continue in the coming months. Pakistan aims to maintain coordination with Afghan officials to ensure smooth and lawful returns.
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The repatriation drive reflects the government’s focus on organized migration, legal compliance, and border management, while also addressing concerns about the illegal presence of foreign nationals in the country.
