Authorities in Balochistan’s Quetta division have expelled more than 30,000 Afghan nationals without valid documents in less than a month, according to official figures. The mass repatriations follow the federal government’s July 31 deadline for all undocumented foreign nationals to leave Pakistan voluntarily.

Crackdown Follows Missed Deadline

While many Afghans returned home before the cut-off date, thousands remained. In response, law enforcement agencies launched a coordinated crackdown involving the police, Frontier Corps, Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), and district administration. Joint teams have since been conducting daily operations to locate and deport those still residing in the region illegally.

Coordination Tightened Among Agencies

On Tuesday, Quetta Division Commissioner Shahzeb Khan Kakar chaired a high-level meeting to assess the progress of the operation. Senior officials from the police, FIA, National Database and Registration Authority (Nadra), Special Branch, Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA), and Home Department attended, with district officers from Qila Abdullah and Pishin participating online.

Officials reported improved coordination between agencies, aimed at speeding up deportations and tracking undocumented Afghans’ financial and telecom records, including bank accounts and SIM cards.

Emphasis on Orderly and Respectful Process

Commissioner Kakar instructed authorities to maintain daily operations while ensuring the process remains orderly and non-confrontational. Local elders and community leaders will be engaged to help avoid unrest, and special care is to be taken when dealing with women and children.

The commissioner stressed that deportations should be carried out with strict inter-departmental coordination to ensure all undocumented Afghan nationals are eventually repatriated.