PESHAWAR: The repatriation of undocumented Afghans nationals was abruptly suspended on Friday following a cross border attack in which a border security official was injured. The incident occurred late Thursday evening at the Awal Khan post near the Torkham border crossing.
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The Torkham crossing had reopened on Thursday to allow the return of stranded and illegal Afghan nationals after remaining closed since February 26, when Operation Ghazab lil-Haq was launched. However, security forces immediately went on high alert following the attack, halting all registration and repatriation procedures.
Officials from the National Database and Registration Authority (Nadra), the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), the National Logistics Corporation (NLC), police, and other government departments were present at Torkham and the Hamza Baba transit point but were directed to stop the processing of undocumented Afghans. Sources reported that around 220 undocumented Afghans were registered and returned to Afghanistan on Thursday before the suspension.
Torkham security officials cited the “aggressive attitude and behaviour of the Afghan side” as the reason for halting operations. They emphasized that the current security situation did not allow for safe repatriation under the Illegal Foreigners Repatriation (IFR) program.
Earlier this month, Pakistani authorities decided that action under the Foreigners Act 1946 would be taken against illegal Afghan nationals as part of implementing the single visa regime. The decision was made during a meeting reviewing law and order and security arrangements in the capital city.
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Security officials have stated that border forces will remain on high alert until conditions stabilize. The suspension of repatriation at Torkham marks a setback in efforts to manage undocumented Afghan nationals and ensure safe cross-border movement amid ongoing security concerns.