Pakistan Afghan Repatriation Drive 2026: Punjab Sends More Refugees Home
The Pakistan-Afghan repatriation drive 2026 entered a new phase this Thursday as the Punjab government stepped up its efforts to deport undocumented foreign nationals. According to a spokesperson for the Punjab Home Department, 20 Afghan citizens were scheduled for repatriation today, February 19, 2026. This move is part of a broader, nationwide campaign that began in late 2023, aimed at securing the country’s borders and managing illegal immigration.
Statistics of the Repatriation Drive
Since the inception of this policy, the scale of returns has been unprecedented. Official data from the Home Department reveals that more than 2 million Afghan citizens have been sent back to their homeland from across Pakistan.
In Punjab specifically, the crackdown has led to the repatriation of over 150,000 individuals. Currently, the province is operating 37 holding centers to process undocumented residents. As of today, 69 Afghan nationals remain in these centers, with a batch of 20 being sent across the border immediately. The government maintains that while those without valid visas must leave, Afghan nationals with legal documentation and valid visas are free to continue their businesses and employment within the province.
Strained Relations and International Concern
The Pakistan Afghan repatriation drive 2026 has not been without controversy. The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has expressed deep concern, citing reports of the arrest of legally registered refugees. International agencies warn that the mass expulsions during a harsh winter could lead to a humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan, where resources are already stretched thin.
Tensions between Islamabad and Kabul remain high. Pakistan has repeatedly accused the Afghan interim government of harboring terror networks responsible for attacks on Pakistani soil, such as the February 16 attack in Bajaur that martyred 11 soldiers. Afghanistan continues to deny these allegations, leading to a diplomatic deadlock that often plays out at the border crossings of Torkham and Chaman.
Looking Ahead
The federal government has shown no signs of slowing down the “Illegal Foreigners Repatriation Plan.” With the interior ministry establishing nearly 50 holding areas nationwide, the focus remains on ensuring all undocumented persons are accounted for by the end of the year. For many Afghan families who have called Pakistan home for decades, the future remains uncertain as they navigate the complexities of documentation and cross-border politics.
