Punjab says over 33,000 illegal foreign nationals deported in repatriation drive

LAHORE: Punjab Police said on Wednesday that more than 33,000 illegal foreign nationals, including Afghans, have so far been deported from the province under the ongoing repatriation campaign.

According to a police spokesperson, the deportation process is continuing across Punjab, including Lahore, and 349 such individuals are currently present at different holding points.

The spokesperson said the total number of deported foreign nationals has crossed 33,000. Of them, 12,565 were men, 6,695 were women and 13,760 were children.

Punjab Police also provided a breakdown of the categories of those deported. It said the deportees included 10,505 people holding proof of residence, 11,100 Afghan Citizen Card holders and 11,416 illegal foreign nationals.

Punjab Inspector General of Police Abdul Kareem said security arrangements across the province had been placed on high alert and that the repatriation of all illegal individuals was being ensured.

He said the process was being carried out in line with international laws and added that human rights were being fully observed during the repatriation drive.

Ongoing operation across the province

The police statement indicated that the campaign is continuing steadily in different parts of Punjab. Lahore is among the areas where the process remains underway, while authorities are also managing individuals kept at holding points before deportation.

The figures shared by Punjab Police show that children make up a significant portion of those deported, alongside adult men and women. The official breakdown also distinguishes between those with proof of residence, Afghan Citizen Card holders and those described by police as illegal foreign nationals.

No further operational details were provided in the statement beyond the province-wide continuation of the repatriation process and the number of people currently at holding centres.

The latest figures were released by Punjab Police as part of its update on the ongoing drive. The department maintained that the operation is proceeding under legal requirements and with attention to human rights protections, according to the provincial police chief.