470 more Afghan families return via Torkham border

LDANDIKOTAL: About 470 families were repatriated via the Torkham border as the deportation drive of undocumented Afghan nationals continued on Tuesday, officials said.

A senior official of civil administration said that a total of 470 Afghan families, comprising 2,453 persons, crossed the Torkham border into Afghanistan. He said the initiative, launched, continues to gather pace, with thousands having returned home since April 1, 2025. He said this push for repatriation follows the government’s directive for all undocumented foreigners, particularly Afghans to leave the country voluntarily or face forcible expulsion. The Torkham crossing in Khyber district remained the busiest route for those returning to Afghanistan, as authorities tighten checks on Afghan Citizen Card holders and those without any legal documents. According to official sources at the border, between April 1 and April 14, over 3,200 families comprising more than 16,000 individuals had already crossed into Afghanistan. Monday’s figure of 470 families adds to this mounting total, bringing the estimated number of returnees this month to nearly 20,000. Families crossing the border face numerous challenges, particularly in transporting their belongings. Afghan transporters complain that Pakistani vehicles carrying luggage are increasing everyday costs and causing delays. Humanitarian organizations have raised serious concerns over the conditions awaiting returnees inside Afghanistan. The International Organization for Migration (IOM) has warned that many families, especially women and children, are vulnerable and urgently need shelter, food and medical care. Camps and aid services near the border are already overstretched.