Nearly 40,000 Afghan refugees have left Quetta, the capital of Balochistan, to return to their homeland as part of the government’s ongoing repatriation campaign. This development comes after a strict nationwide crackdown against undocumented Afghan nationals.

In October 2023, the Government of Pakistan issued a comprehensive directive requiring all foreign nationals — including undocumented Afghan refugees — to voluntarily leave the country or face deportation. The directive aims to ensure the organized repatriation of individuals residing illegally in Pakistan.

Authorities are facilitating the safe and orderly return of refugees through border crossings, particularly the Chaman crossing. These efforts continue despite recent tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan. On humanitarian grounds, temporary transit camps have also been established near the border to assist returning refugees and help them resettle in Afghanistan before the onset of harsh winter conditions.

Officials say the government’s main objective is to ensure that the repatriation process is carried out in a safe and organized manner. They added that Pakistan is working to maintain a balance between national security, economic stability, and humanitarian principles.

The ongoing repatriation campaign is part of the government’s broader policy to regulate borders and address the issue of undocumented populations. According to officials, the number of Afghan refugees who have so far left Quetta has reached nearly 40,000.