In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the repatriation of Afghan nationals residing illegally in Pakistan is continuing in line with the Government of Pakistan’s policy. Following provincial government directives, practical measures have been accelerated in various districts, including Kohat Division, to ensure that the return of Afghan refugees is carried out in an organized, legal, and humane manner.

In this regard, NADRA has established special registration and facilitation centers to assist Afghan refugees. These centers, set up in District Hangu and Tehsil Tall, are helping Afghan nationals with registration, token issuance, and other necessary procedures for repatriation.

According to Assistant Commissioner Tall, Shah Bakht Yousafzai, a NADRA facilitation center has been established at Government Girls Degree College Tall, where refugees can register themselves, complete their documentation, and obtain the tokens required for their return.

This facility is specifically for Afghan refugees residing in different districts and camps of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, including Tall, Hangu, Bannu, and adjoining areas. The refugees belong to various provinces of Afghanistan, including Gardez, Paktika, Paktia, Khost, Kandahar, and other regions.

According to the administration, these refugees can return to Afghanistan through the Kharlachi border, which is geographically closer and a more convenient route. The Kohat administration has decided to activate the Kharlachi border instead of Torkham to make travel easier and speed up the repatriation process for Afghan refugees living in Kohat, Hangu, Tall, and Bannu.

Tokens are being issued to refugees at the facilitation center in Tall, enabling them to depart for Afghanistan through the Kharlachi border on scheduled dates. This facility will remain available from January 21 to January 30, during which a large number of Afghan refugees are expected to return.

According to official statistics, a total of approximately 988,812 Afghan nationals have so far been sent back to their country. These include 230,470 Proof of Registration (PoR) card holders, 71,570 Afghan Citizen Card (ACC) holders, and 686,772 undocumented Afghan nationals.

These individuals have been repatriated through various border routes, with the return process being carried out in phases and in an organized manner.

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According to Gul Wali, a resident of the Ghamkol Afghan refugee camp in Kohat, the recent facilities have caused concern among refugees living in the camp. However, most have started wrapping up their businesses and are availing themselves of the facilities provided by the government.

Refugees are trying to return to their homeland within the stipulated time in accordance with government instructions to avoid any legal action.

At the provincial-level meeting chaired by Kohat Division Commissioner Motasim Billah, district administration officials from Hangu, district police, and elders of the Afghan refugee community participated. Clear instructions were issued to refugees to wind up all businesses and commercial activities in District Hangu within three days, and to ensure this message reaches Afghan nationals living outside camps in rented houses.

The district administration and police have been directed to submit daily reports on the repatriation process, including the number of returning Afghan nationals, issues faced, and details of facilities provided, so that the provincial government remains fully informed.

According to the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government, the return of illegal Afghan nationals will be completed fully within the framework of the law, in a phased and organized manner.