Islamabad, April 1 (H.S.): The repatriation of Afghan refugees illegally residing in Pakistan starts today, as their voluntary return deadline expired on March 31. Sources from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Home Department report that Afghan refugees will be returned to Afghanistan from today.

Despite the Taliban government’s requests for an extension, the federal government decided against it last week. The provincial government has been asked to update the Foreign National Security Cell’s records regarding foreign nationals and Afghan students in the region by March 27. This policy aims to enhance security amid rising terrorist incidents, with Islamabad blaming groups active in Afghanistan.

So far, 878,972 Afghans have returned to Afghanistan, according to Radio Pakistan. Amnesty International has called for Pakistan to reconsider its “opaque” deportation strategy concerning illegal immigrants. Peshawar hosts the largest Afghan population, with many running businesses and living among locals for decades.

Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar