RAWALPINDI: Another 17 illegal Afghan nationals were deported to their home country on Friday.

Since April this year 5,184 illegal Afghan nationals had been rounded up by police from Rawalpindi district and shifted them to Dhoke Syedan Holding Centre.

Of the 5,184 illegal Afghans, 5,163 have been deported back to their home country, while 19 have been missing. Among those deported to Afghanistan were 2,812 males, 1,030 females and 1,321 children.

Only two male Afghans waiting to be deported have been housed in the Holding Centre, Dhoke Syedan.

On the other hand, the inspector general of Islamabad police recently issued directives to only focus on daily arrests of illegal Afghan, illegal tenants, hotel, travel eye, including strict departmental action will be initiated against the responsible police officials if entries are not made.

He further directed to register FIRs against private workers, especially Afghans, at markets, shops and car dealers.

According to sources, 75 illegal Afghan nationals had been rounded up by police in Murree, and all of them were deported back to their home country. Of the 75, 55 were male, 04 females and 16 children.

After the government’s deadline for voluntary repatriation expired on August 31, 2025, the law enforcement agencies launched a crackdown on Afghan nationals who possess Proof of Registration (PoR) cards, which resulted in their forcible expulsion.

A large number of Afghan families residing in Rawalpindi had already voluntarily repatriated as the deadline was approaching.

As part of the illegal foreigner repatriation strategy, a joint “sub-committee” of police and intelligence officers was formed to map Afghan nationals with PoR cards and help operational teams.

Published in Dawn, December 20th, 2025