PESHAWAR: The deadline for Afghan refugees living in Pakistan has ended. Authorities have begun the deportation of Afghan refugees to Afghanistan.
Islamabad police launched operations in several districts after the deadline expired. They detained many Afghan refugees for transfer to deportation camps.
On April 1, police raided Tarnol, Bara Kahu, Ghauri Town, and Rawalpindi’s military colonies. They arrested dozens of Afghan nationals.
Earlier, Pakistan’s Interior Ministry ordered Afghan citizen card (ACC) holders to leave by March 31. Deportation proceedings started on April 1.
Authorities set up two temporary camps in Peshawar and Landi Kotal for ACC holders. Reception and registration camps are also operational near Torkham.
Officials will verify Afghan nationals with citizen cards through biometric checks before deportation. Around 800,000 Afghans in Pakistan hold these cards.
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In the first phase, nearly 700,000 unregistered Afghans have already returned to Afghanistan.
