Federal Govt Shuts All Afghan Refugee Camps in KP

PESHAWAR: The federal government has issued orders for the immediate closure of all Afghan refugee camps in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), marking a significant step in Pakistan’s ongoing repatriation efforts.

According to official sources, refugee settlements in districts including Dera Ismail Khan, Tank, Lakki Marwat, Bannu, Mansehra, Charsadda, and Malakand have been shut down. These camps had existed for decades, housing thousands of Afghan nationals who fled conflict in their home country.

Afghan refugees residing across the province have been directed to return to Afghanistan. The federal government has also instructed the KP administration to take possession of all land previously allocated for these now-closed camps.

This move comes as part of Pakistan’s broader Illegal Foreigner Repatriation Plan (IFRP), which aims to deport undocumented foreign nationals, particularly those who have overstayed or entered without legal documentation.

Separately, the Punjab government recently launched the third phase of its deportation drive targeting illegal Afghan residents. Authorities are actively identifying individuals who lack valid papers or have overstayed their visas for more than a year.

Pakistan hosts one of the largest refugee populations in the world, most of whom are Afghan nationals. The government says the current drive targets only those living in the country without legal status.