ISLAMABAD: Authorities in the federal capital have arrested more than 19,500 undocumented Afghan nationals as part of an ongoing enforcement campaign launched on the directives of the Ministry of Interior, officials said on Tuesday.
According to official figures, at least 9,803 Afghan nationals have been repatriated to Afghanistan since the start of the operation. Among those deported are 5,045 men and 2,191 women, while a significant number of children were also returned as part of the process.
Islamabad Police said that 2,567 children accompanied their families during repatriation, while 9,545 individuals were released after verification and documentation checks were completed.
The crackdown has been carried out across multiple sectors of the capital, with police teams conducting checks at residences, workplaces and transit points. Officials said the rural zones of Islamabad recorded the highest number of arrests during the operation.
The Interior Ministry has instructed the Islamabad administration to further intensify enforcement measures, stressing that action against undocumented foreign nationals would continue in line with government policy.
Authorities maintain that the campaign is being conducted in an organised manner, with due process followed during identification, verification and repatriation procedures.
