Thousands of undocumented Afghans sent home from Pakistan
More than 49,000 Afghan nationals without legal documents have returned to Afghanistan from Pakistan since April 1, officials say.
The movement increased after Pakistan’s deadline for undocumented foreigners to leave the country came to an end. Many of those leaving had been living in Punjab, Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Balochistan.
Officials say most of the returnees crossed through the Torkham border, which links Pakistan to Afghanistan.
These Afghan families did not have legal papers or refugee cards. On April 12 alone, more than 4,000 people crossed back into Afghanistan.
Every day, buses and trucks have been carrying people to the border. Security officials have been watching closely, and local authorities have helped to manage the process. People were allowed to take personal belongings, such as clothes, household items, and even livestock.
At the border, each person goes through ID checks and fingerprint scanning before crossing. Afghan staff are helping on the other side by giving temporary shelter and some basic aid.
Many families said the journey was hard. Some had little money or no access to transport. Others said they had to leave behind their jobs and homes.
Meanwhile, human rights groups have asked both Pakistan and Afghanistan to treat returnees with dignity. The UN has raised concerns about how the mass return will affect border areas in Afghanistan, especially as many people now need food, shelter, and medicine.
Pakistan says the move does not affect Afghan refugees who are legally registered and have permission to stay.
The return of undocumented Afghans is expected to continue in the coming weeks, The News reports.
