PESHAWAR—The Peshawar district administration approved a new strategy today to accelerate the repatriation of illegal Afghan refugees. The Deputy Commissioner (DC) Peshawar on 31 March chaired a coordination meeting where officials received immediate instructions to initiate the departure process.
To ensure maximum reach, the administration decided to utilize mosque announcements to inform the relevant individuals about the new timelines.
Furthermore, the DC emphasized that the government will not tolerate any negligence or unauthorized activity during this sensitive phase.
Also Read: Pakistan Reopens Torkham Border for Afghan Refugees
Security Oversight and Logistics
Under the finalized plan, the police will provide a full security escort for the repatriation of illegal Afghan refugees from transit camps to the border. Specifically, the administration mandated the presence of high-ranking officers, including SPs and ASPs, to supervise the movement of convoys. To streamline operations, Assistant Commissioners must submit duty rosters for Tehsildars and revenue staff to the DC office by tomorrow. Additionally, the District Disaster Management Unit (DDMU) will provide the necessary transport to facilitate the return.
Recent Operations at Torkham Border
The repatriation of illegal Afghan refugees has already seen a significant increase in activity at the Torkham border crossing. Authorities recently moved a large number of Afghan nationals to the Hamza Baba Transit Camp for final documentation. Specifically, officials handed over 11 individuals to Afghan border authorities after completing all legal formalities. Simultaneously, over 150 prisoners from various provincial jails arrived at the transit camp to undergo the final stages of the deportation process.
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Records indicate a consistent pattern of returns over the last 48 hours. For instance, on March 27, authorities repatriated 11 Afghan nationals through Torkham. Similarly, on March 26, the government transferred 40 Afghan citizens from various prisons to the transit camp before sending them across the border. Currently, the administration is making the documentation process more efficient to ensure a systematic and organized exit for all unauthorized residents.
Monitoring and Compliance
The deputy commissioner confirmed that his office will monitor the repatriation of illegal Afghan refugees through daily progress reports. He instructed all officers to handle the matter with extreme professionalism to ensure the timely implementation of federal and provincial orders. By maintaining strict administrative oversight, the district leadership aims to complete the phased return of foreign nationals while strictly adhering to legal standards.
