The government’s action to deport illegally living Afghan nationals has picked up pace, with scores being repatriated to Afghanistan via the Torkham border in recent days.

According to Punjab's Home Department spokesperson, the Foreign National Security Cell is actively conducting operations throughout the province. In the last two days alone, 1,085 Afghan nationals have been repatriated through the Torkham crossing.

In addition, 1,359 holders of Afghan Citizen Cards (ACC) are being repatriated today from different holding facilities in Punjab. The operation includes close coordination and paperwork to make the repatriation legal and arranged.

The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Home Department has also increased its efforts. 260 illegal Afghan residents brought from different areas of Punjab will be deported through Torkham today. Out of these, 41 were shifted from Okara, 46 from Sahiwal, 47 from Bahawalpur, 54 from Rahim Yar Khan, and 18 from Nankana Sahib.

In addition, 17 Afghans from Muzaffargarh and 37 from Hafizabad have been relocated to holding centres and would be deported to Afghanistan once the necessary documents are finished.

In Rawalpindi, police agencies have started a special drive against holders of Afghan Citizen Cards. More than 190 have already been arrested and moved to temporary camps. Police sources informed us that the cardholders would be deported to Afghanistan shortly as well. The drive is being run daily with the help of special branches and intelligence agencies, who are helping to identify undocumented citizens.

The authorities had reiterated that this exercise will continue daily until all illegally staying Afghan nationals are sent back. The campaign is an indication of a coordinated bid to apply immigration laws while maintaining proper procedures in the entire exercise.