Pakistan Deports Over 140,000 Undocumented Afghan Nationals from Punjab Province

Pakistan has deported over 140,000 undocumented Afghan nationals from Punjab province as part of a ongoing crackdown that has seen nearly 2.7 million repatriated nationwide

Post Published By: Sreeja Chowdhury

Updated : 11 August 2026, 3:40 AM IST

Pakistan Afghan deportation (Img: AI Generated)

New Delhi: Pakistan has deported 140,468 Afghan nationals who were residing illegally in Punjab province. These individuals have been sent back to Afghanistan. Pakistan has been conducting a campaign against such individuals.

According to a report published in the Dawn newspaper on Monday, the Interior Ministry's Foreign National Security Cell carried out this action as part of the ongoing campaign against Afghan nationals. Under this campaign, individuals living illegally in the country are being arrested and placed in detention centers.

After completing the necessary documentation formalities, they are sent back to their home country, Afghanistan. So far, 2.68 million Afghan nationals have been expelled from Pakistan.

A spokesperson for the Punjab provincial Home Department stated that it is illegal for Afghan nationals to reside in the country without a valid visa. A campaign has been launched in the province to apprehend such individuals. This development comes at a time when international agencies have expressed concern regarding the expulsion of Afghan refugees.

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and the International Organization for Migration (IOM) have repeatedly stated that the return of Afghan refugees should take place in a safe and dignified manner.