Sardar Muhammad Khondai:
CHAMAN: More than 1,600 Afghan refugees have been repatriated through the Pak-Afghan border at Bab-e-Dosti in Chaman, Deputy Commissioner Chaman Habib Ahmed Bangalzai told media during a visit to the repatriation camp on Tuesday.
Speaking alongside Assistant Commissioner Imtiaz Ali Baloch and Tehsildar Abdul Razzaq Miyani, DC Bangalzai said the repatriation process of undocumented residents and Afghan Citizen Card holders has accelerated across various cities in Balochistan. He added that Pakistan had set March 31, 2025, as the final deadline for all illegal immigrants to leave the country.
“Mapping was done prior to the operation to ensure transparency and proper documentation,” said Bangalzai, adding that a large number of undocumented Afghans have been living in Balochistan, particularly in Chaman, for over four decades.
However, the deputy commissioner clarified that the deportation of Afghan nationals holding Proof of Registration (PoR) cards has been halted in light of the Balochistan High Court’s decision and the federal government’s extension of their stay until June.
According to the survey conducted by district authorities, more than 35,000 PoR card holders are currently residing in Chaman.
The repatriation operations are being supervised and facilitated at the holding camp set up at the Bab-e-Dosti crossing to ensure humane and organized returns.
