300 Afghan nationals deported via Torkham border

LANDIKOTAL: Nearly 300 Afghan nationals, including women and children, have been deported through the Torkham border crossing over the past three days, official sources said on Friday.

Officials of the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) said the deportation process was part of the government’s ongoing policy to repatriate documented and undocumented foreigners residing illegally in Pakistan.

According to FIA, Afghan citizens apprehended from various parts of the country were brought to the transit camp established near the border in Landikotal, where they underwent necessary procedures.

At the transit camp, officials from the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) and immigration departments verified the identities of the deportees before allowing them to cross into Afghanistan.

Sources at Torkham told this correspondent that among the deportees were women, children, and elderly individuals, many of whom were carrying their household belongings and accompanied by pet animals.

Long queues were witnessed at the Torkham crossing point, where the deportees waited for hours to complete the clearance process before being allowed to enter Afghanistan.

The deportation was conducted under tight security and officials said all standard operating procedures (SOPs) were followed to ensure a smooth and orderly repatriation.

Authorities said temporary shelters and food arrangements had been made at the transit camp to accommodate the deportees during their short stay before crossing the border. The official said free food, water, transportation and free Internet services would be available for Afghan deportees. He said most of the deportees were the Afghan citizens who voluntarily left the country. Many of the deported Afghan citizens were visibly emotional as they left Pakistan, where they had spent decades while many broke into tears saying they were born and raised in Pakistan but they were being forced to leave the country.

An FIA official, requesting anonymity, said the process of deporting undocumented foreigners would be continuing in phases as per the directives of the federal government.

He added that similar repatriation drives were taking place at other border points as well, including Chaman and Angoor Adda.