Stories
Pakistan Plans Massive Crackdown on Afghan Nationals Following KP Emergency
- •Pakistan security forces are preparing a massive crackdown on Afghan nationals across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa starting November 1, featuring door-to-door checks in major cities.
- •The operation follows the imposition of emergency rule and governor's rule in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, suspending the PTI provincial government amid security tensions.
- •Afghan-owned businesses and Pakistani nationals with cross-border family ties are also expected to face strict scrutiny during the joint law enforcement operations.
- •Over 2.5 million Afghan refugees and migrants have already left Pakistan since the mass repatriation campaign began in October 2023 under Army Chief Asim Munir.
Key Questions Answered
On October 11, Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari imposed a state of emergency and governor's rule in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa upon the advice of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. This decision was driven by deteriorating security conditions and allegations that the provincial government failed to tackle militancy effectively, resulting in the suspension of the PTI-led government and the transfer of executive authority to Governor Faisal Karim Kundi.
Joint law enforcement teams are scheduled to execute door-to-door checks and snap inspections in major cities including Peshawar, Kohat, Bannu, and Dera Ismail Khan to identify Afghan immigrants residing illegally. Security agencies have prepared for extensive inspections starting soon, particularly with a major operation expected to launch in Peshawar.
More than 2.5 million Afghan refugees and migrants have left Pakistan since the mass repatriation campaign began in October 2023 under Army Chief Asim Munir. This campaign was driven by deteriorating relations and security tensions between Islamabad and the Afghan Taliban, evolving into an aggressive deportation drive.
