Pakistan repatriates over 800,000 illegally residing Afghans: Official

PESHAWAR: The process of repatriation of illegally residing Afghan nationals in Pakistan continued unabated as more than 800,000 people were repatriated by March 20, an official said. With only 10 days remaining until the March 31 deadline for illegally residing individuals and Afghan Citizen Card holders to leave Pakistan, the government by March 20 repatriated 874,282 Afghans due to concerns over terrorism, an official said.

The official said the government assured no mistreatment would be met during the process.

Arrangements for food and healthcare facilities for those returning to Afghanistan have been completed, the official said.

The official said strict legal action would be taken after the deadline passes.

Afghan foreign minister Amir Khan Muttaqi on Thursday called for the gradual repatriation of Afghan refugees from not just Pakistan but the rest of the world.