Unregistered Afghans continue to return home

Development follows Islamabad’s decision to expel them

KHYBER (Web Desk) – Return of unregistered Afghan nationals is in full swing as 8,000 or so have crossed the Torkham border. 

Police also started profiling Afghans living in various parts of Khyber district. 

Immigration officials at Torkham border said that over 150 families, mostly unregistered but in possession of the Proof of Registration (POR) card or the Afghan tazkira (national identity card), had returned to their homeland during the last three days. They said 8,000 people crossed the border on Sunday, bringing the number to almost 10,000. 

Landi Kotal Assistant Commissioner Irshad Ali Momand said the relaxation had already been given to the Afghans who were in possession of ID cards. He said the district administration was waiting for a national policy about the official ultimatum regarding the ‘eviction’ of the unregistered aliens. 

Officials said the number was rising with every passing day as Pakistan issued an ultimatum to all ‘aliens’ on its soil to leave the country by Oct 31. 

They said usually Afghans preferred in the past to stay in Pakistan during this part of the year due to harsh winters in Afghanistan. “This time this phenomenon has changed as police throughout the country have launched a crackdown on unregistered Afghans,” they said.