LANDIKOTAL/ISLAMABAD: After the deadline set for illegal Afghan immigrants residing in Pakistan, Afghan nationals have commenced their departure from the country via the Torkham border crossing, officials said on Thursday.
Border officials stated that over the past two days, more than 30 families comprising around 1,000 individuals departed Pakistan on the very first day following the announcement made by the federal interior minister. Authorities have designated a parking area for returnees in Torkham, with staff deployed to attend to them and complete their registration.
The officials also stated that Afghan families residing in various Pakistani cities without proper legal documents have initiated their return to their home country to avoid arrest and humiliation.
Baryalay Hasrat, a resident of Laghman province in Afghanistan, shared with The News that his family of nine members had been living in Nowshera for the past 20 years. He said although they possessed Afghan Citizen Nadra, they were voluntarily returning to Afghanistan, as their country’s economic and security situation was better than Pakistan’s.
Hasrat urged fellow Afghans to leave Pakistan, citing difficulties in paying utility bills and the lack of stable job opportunities and businesses.
The Afghan citizens also requested financial assistance for those returning to Afghanistan to enable them to rebuild their houses and start their livelihoods there.
