New findings by Arab News indicate that the deportation of Afghan migrants from Pakistan has entered a new phase. According to the report, Pakistani authorities have demolished homes belonging to Afghan nationals in several areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.
The report, published on Saturday, July 18, states that the demolition of homes is part of a broader government initiative to identify and repatriate Afghan migrants. At the same time, authorities continue to verify identity documents, issue eviction notices, and detain individuals who lack valid residency documents or visas.
Residents of the Matani area say that some Afghan families were not even given enough time to remove their personal belongings and official documents. According to them, authorities carried out the demolitions without considering the circumstances of the affected families.
Pakistani security sources have also confirmed that a nationwide operation to identify and arrest migrants without valid visas or legal documentation began on July 10. Police forces have been tasked with implementing the campaign.
In the city of Peshawar, the number of checkpoints has increased, and officials are conducting widespread inspections of residents’ identification documents. The situation has led to reduced movement among Afghan migrants and a slowdown in markets where a significant portion of commercial activity is run by Afghan traders.
Some Afghan business owners say the current environment has forced many families to remain inside their homes due to fears of arrest or deportation. They warn that the situation has caused significant damage to migrants’ economic activities and businesses.
These developments come as United Nations figures show that more than 2.3 million Afghan citizens have returned to Afghanistan from Pakistan since 2023. However, more than one million Afghan migrants are still estimated to be living in Pakistan.
The Pakistani government has described these measures as part of its security policies, claiming that some undocumented migrants are linked to security threats. The Taliban have rejected these allegations, repeatedly stating that Afghan territory will not be used against other countries.
Writer:Salima Aryaei
