SWABI — More than 300 illegal Afghan nationals were arrested during a series of raids conducted by district police in various localities of Swabi district on Sunday, authorities said. The crackdown follows a joint decision by the district administration and police to repatriate undocumented Afghans residing in the area.
Read More: Search operations against illegal Afghan refugees
District police officials issued instructions to local station heads (SHOs) to maintain records of all illegal Afghan residents within their jurisdictions. Sources confirmed that a total of 341 individuals were detained during operations in Topi, Razaar, Chota Lahor tehsils, and the district headquarters of Swabi.
Sources said that a total of 341 Afghan refugees had been arrested during raids conducted in Topi, Razaar, Chota Lahor tehsils and in the jurisdiction of district headquarters Swabi. https://t.co/VP2WdE0FXm
— Dawn.com (@dawn_com) March 16, 2026
Authorities said the raids would continue until all illegal residents are repatriated in a peaceful and honourable manner. Swabi is home to an estimated 30,000 Afghan refugees, most of whom are documented, while a minority are living illegally in refugee camps such as Gandaf Refugees Camp and Gohati Refugees Camp, as well as in farming areas and urban centres.
The district administration has been urging refugees to voluntarily return to Afghanistan, giving them time to wind up businesses after Eidul Fitr. Some refugees expressed difficulties in closing businesses they have built over decades but affirmed their willingness to return peacefully.
Abdullah Gul, a long-term resident, said, “I was born and grew up here in Pakistan and never visited Afghanistan. However, Afghanistan is my motherland and now I have decided to return to my country along with my family soon.”
Read More: Over 2 million illegal Afghan nationals repatriated since 2023
Officials warned that legal action would be taken against anyone providing shelter or shops to illegal Afghan residents. Swabi Deputy Commissioner Dr Tariqullah Khan confirmed that the district administration is focused on ensuring the dignified and orderly repatriation of all undocumented Afghan nationals.