Written by: Musawir Qureshi
According to the notification issued by the Ministry of Interior, starting from July 10, 2026, operations will be launched across Pakistan against foreign nationals residing without legal documents or valid visas, with a specific focus on Afghan migrants. In this regard, all provinces, police chiefs, and the Islamabad administration have been directed to strictly implement the Illegal Foreigners Repatriation Plan (IFRP). Furthermore, starting July 11, daily progress reports of the operation will be submitted to the Ministry of Interior.
For many years, Pakistan has hosted millions of Afghan refugees. Out of sheer humanitarian goodwill, Pakistan provided shelter to the people of the neighboring country during their most difficult times. However, now that the government is enforcing a clear policy regarding undocumented residents, it is vital that this policy is implemented in a transparent and effective manner.
It is also a bitter reality that final deadlines for the repatriation of undocumented residents have been announced several times in the past, but were never fully implemented. There is a general perception among the public that due to loopholes at certain border crossings, particularly Torkham, Chaman, and other border points, some individuals still manage to slip into Pakistan. If the government truly desires a permanent solution to this issue, it must strengthen border surveillance using modern systems and ensure strict accountability against corruption.
Furthermore, in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, especially in Peshawar and its surrounding areas, many undocumented individuals reside in rented houses and manage to prolong their stay through various means. However, law enforcement in Pakistan is often weak, and the system of reward and punishment is rarely implemented properly. Some undocumented migrants even claim that Pakistani police accept bribes and let them go. Now that this new order has been issued, the question arises: will it actually be acted upon this time, or will the old game be replayed?
Another question surfaces here. Many undocumented migrants appear disgruntled at the time of leaving Pakistan, but once they depart, they resort to using derogatory and negative language against Pakistan and Pakistanis on social media. There are also individuals who have used money and bribery to fraudulently obtain Pakistani identity cards, yet they continue to speak negatively about both Afghanistan and Pakistan.
A thorough investigation must be launched against those who have obtained Pakistani computerized national identity cards (CNICs) or other documents through forgery, bribery, or any illegal means. The institutions and individuals complicit in this practice must be investigated without discrimination and face strict legal action. If any Pakistani has illegally integrated these migrants into their family trees (family certificates) and is found complicit, action should be taken against them as well. However, if poor, innocent Pakistanis are unaware of this fraud, they should not be harassed; instead, the actual culprits must be apprehended. Too often, our system works backward, and poor citizens end up suffering, so special attention must be paid to this aspect.
The government needs to bring those Pakistani citizens to justice who deliberately rent out houses to undocumented individuals or facilitate their illegal stay, provided they have broken the law. Taking action solely against undocumented residents is not enough; their facilitators must also be held accountable to prevent such practices in the future.
Moreover, relying entirely on the police during these operations is insufficient. The military and accountability institutions should be involved alongside them to make the operations more transparent and to eliminate bribery, nepotism, and any form of unlawful influence. The rule of law is only strengthened when all actions are taken impartially.
It is equally crucial that during the repatriation process of undocumented individuals, their human dignity and fundamental rights are fully protected. Women, children, the elderly, and other individuals must not face any form of harsh or inhumane treatment; instead, they should be transported back to their country with honor and respect. Law enforcement and humanitarian empathy are not contradictory; they are interconnected values.
Some people believe that if the repatriation of undocumented individuals is carried out properly, it will reduce the pressure on employment, housing, and other resources for the local population, potentially opening up better opportunities for them. However, opinions among experts vary on this matter. Some argue that businesses will also experience a strain, but regardless, it is time for Afghans to return to their homeland and contribute to rebuilding their own country.
We must not forget that Pakistan is a sovereign state, and every sovereign nation reserves the right to enforce its immigration and residency laws. If the government is taking action against illegally residing foreigners, it should not be perceived as an insult or humiliation to the Afghan people.
