LAHORE — The Punjab Police department on Wednesday confirmed that more than 33,000 illegal foreign nationals, the vast majority of whom are Afghans, have been deported from the province since the commencement of the government’s repatriation drive.
A police spokesperson stated that the operation is continuing steadily across all districts, including Lahore, with 349 individuals currently being processed at various specialized holding points. To date, the deportees from Punjab include 12,565 men, 6,695 women, and 13,760 children, as authorities maintain a high-alert status to ensure the completion of the provincial phase of the mission.
پنجاب سے 33 ہزارغیرقانونی مقیم افرادکو نکال دیا گیا #DunyaNews #BreakingNews #LatestNews pic.twitter.com/Dcw4raBobA
— Dunya News (@DunyaNews) March 25, 2026
Key Highlights
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Provincial Figures: 33,081 illegal foreigners repatriated from Punjab; 349 remain in temporary holding centers.
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Demographic Breakdown: The deportees include over 13,700 children and nearly 6,700 women.
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Documentation Categories: Figures include 11,416 undocumented individuals, alongside 11,100 Afghan Citizen Card (ACC) holders and 10,505 PoR holders.
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Official Mandate: Punjab IGP Abdul Kareem affirmed that the process is being conducted in strict accordance with international human rights standards.
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National Context: The drive is part of the “Illegal Foreigners’ Repatriation Plan” (IFRP) aimed at regulating migration and enhancing national security.
Background: The Scope of Repatriation
The current crackdown is the result of a multi-phased federal policy initiated in late 2023. Pakistan has historically been one of the world’s largest refugee-hosting nations, harboring an estimated 4 million Afghans for over four decades. However, following a surge in cross-border militancy and the evolving regional security climate, the government moved to regularize all foreign residents.
According to official data and international monitoring agencies, approximately 2.95 million Afghans have returned to their homeland since September 2023. This figure includes both those who left voluntarily under the “grace period” and those deported through the Torkham and Chaman border crossings.
Why the Deportations are Happening
The federal government has cited national security as the primary driver for the repatriation plan. Officials have frequently noted that undocumented individuals have been found involved in illegal activities, including smuggling and, in some instances, providing logistical support for militant groups like the TTP.
The Ministry of Interior has clarified that the policy is not targeted at any specific nationality but at “all illegal foreigners” who do not possess valid visas or residency permits. While the first phase focused on the completely undocumented, the second and third phases have expanded to include expired Afghan Citizen Card (ACC) and Proof of Registration (PoR) holders who failed to regularize their stay.
Current National Statistics
As of late March 2026, the status of Afghan nationals in Pakistan stands as follows:
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Total Deported/Returned: Approximately 2.95 million (cumulative since Sept 2023).
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Remaining Population: An estimated 1.95 million Afghans are still residing in Pakistan.
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Registered Refugees: Roughly 1 million individuals remain officially registered as refugees with the UNHCR, holding valid documentation.
Maintaining Human Rights Standards
Punjab Inspector General of Police (IGP) Abdul Kareem reiterated that while security remains a top priority, the police are instructed to treat families with dignity. Holding points have been equipped with basic facilities, and the repatriation of women and children is being handled with extra care.
“Our duty is to ensure the law of the land is upheld while observing the human rights of every individual being repatriated,” the IGP stated during a security briefing. Meanwhile, observers noted that the steady pace of the drive in Punjab reflects a broader national consensus on securing Pakistan’s borders and managing its internal demographic data more effectively.
As the March 31 deadline for various documentation categories approaches, the government is expected to further expedite these operations.
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