As the clock ticks toward the November 1 deadline, the Pakistan government has issued a directive requiring all Afghan nationals residing in the country without proper documentation to depart. Thousands have been observed flocking to the Pak-Afghan border in a rush to return home before the expiration of the deadline.

The Islamabad government has stated that this repatriation drive is aimed at addressing the presence of Afghans involved in illegal activities within Pakistan. To facilitate the removal of undocumented Afghan nationals, detention centers have been established in all four provinces, enabling authorities to detain and, if necessary, deport foreigners.

While a significant number of individuals are returning to their home country, some await resettlement in countries like the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, Canada, and various other European nations.

Last month, the government had granted all migrants living in the country without legal status a 28-day period to voluntarily depart or face deportation.

Since this announcement, over 200,000 Afghan immigrants have chosen to voluntarily return to Afghanistan via border crossings, including Torkham.

Media reports indicate that a substantial number of foreigners, approximately four million, are residing in Pakistan, with the majority being Afghan nationals who sought refuge over the past four decades, notably following the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan in the 1980s.

In more recent years, an additional 800,000 Afghans have migrated to Pakistan, primarily in response to the Taliban’s resurgence.