Islamabad (Web Desk): Repatriation of illegal foreign nationals including Afghans to their homeland continues in a dignified and safe manner.
According to the latest statistics, 7,186 Afghan nationals returned to their country over the two weeks.
So far, 520,692 have been repatriated to Afghanistan.
In addition to other measures for the dignified return of Afghans to their country, transit camps equipped with all facilities have been established in various districts for their temporary accommodation.
The illegal immigrants are being processed at temporary centres by the government and are helped to leave to their homelands.
As per the government, more than 4 million foreigners live in Pakistan, a vast majority of them Afghan nationals who sought refuge over the last four decades after the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan in the 1980s.
More recently, after the Taliban regained power in 2021, Pakistani officials say between 600,000 to 800,000 Afghans migrated to Pakistan. The Pakistani government claims nearly 1.7 million of those Afghans are undocumented.
According to the United Nations (UN) data, Pakistan is among the largest refugee-hosting countries globally, showing remarkable generosity for over 40 years to those in search of safety. As a result of previous waves of displacement, second and third generation of Afghans are living in protracted displacement, with Pakistan providing refuge to some 1.35 million registered Afghan women, children and men.
The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) works closely with the Government of Pakistan, UN agencies, humanitarian and development organizations, as well as civil society to provide protection and assistance to refugees and support host communities.
