Pakistan begins Afghan prisoners' deportation

Pakistani authorities have begun deporting Afghan prisoners through the Torkham border, with the first batch of detainees handed over to Afghan forces as part of a phased repatriation process under government policy.

According to immigration officials, 40 Afghan prisoners were deported and transferred to Afghan authorities at the Torkham border. The detainees had earlier been processed at the Landi Kotal holding centre before being sent onward for deportation.

Officials said an additional 150 Afghan prisoners have also been cleared at the holding centre and dispatched towards the Torkham border for deportation. The process is part of a broader initiative to repatriate Afghan nationals currently held in prisons across Pakistan.

Sources added that Afghan detainees from various jails are first shifted to the Landi Kotal holding centre for clearance before being deported. "Today, 40 prisoners were cleared and sent to the Torkham border," immigration sources said, confirming that the deportation drive has formally commenced.

According to officials, the repatriation is being carried out in phases in line with government policy. In the first phase, Afghan prisoners are being deported, while in the second phase, Afghan nationals residing illegally in the country will be repatriated.

Immigration sources noted that thousands of Afghan nationals are currently imprisoned in different jails across Pakistan.

The deportation process had remained suspended since February 26 due to tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan. Similarly, bilateral trade between the two countries has been suspended since October 12, 2025, amid ongoing strain in relations.