Pakistan pressures Afghan residents in border province amid crackdown

By the Editorial Team · Sunday, July 19, 2026

Authorities in Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province have intensified efforts to remove undocumented Afghan residents, including demolishing settlements and conducting identity checks. This crackdown, part of a national directive, has accelerated repatriations and raised concerns among affected communities about the lack of support for their difficult circumstances.

In Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, authorities have intensified efforts to remove undocumented Afghan residents, prompting many to hurriedly evacuate or remain confined to their homes amid a government crackdown. The intensified operations, which began in early July, include demolitions of Afghan settlements, identity checks on roadsides, and orders for Afghan nationals without valid visas to leave the region.

In Mattani, a locality near the provincial capital Peshawar, officials reportedly demolished numerous homes within a settlement of approximately 200 houses. Residents there described scenes of destruction, with personal belongings hastily packed for transport back across the border. Najeeb Rehman, a 50-year-old resident, recounted attempts to retrieve essential items such as medication and school documents before the authorities proceeded with demolitions, despite community objections.

The crackdown aligns with a directive issued by Pakistan’s interior ministry in June, instructing law enforcement agencies nationwide to arrest Afghan nationals found residing without legal documentation starting July 10. Although government authorities have not provided public comment on the demolitions, a senior police official in Peshawar confirmed the ongoing operation, noting that mapping of Afghan residents in the province had been completed prior to the federal directive.

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s approximately 40 million residents share strong cultural, linguistic, and historical ties with Afghanistan, and many families maintain connections on both sides of the border. Local officials have reportedly attempted to warn Afghan communities about the enforcement measures in advance through mosque announcements and consultations with community elders.

Some affected individuals expressed frustration at the lack of consideration for their circumstances. Ahmad Mula, a 70-year-old man whose home in Mattani was demolished, said the authorities showed little regard for personal hardships, including health and financial challenges. He also noted that repeated audio warnings had been issued, but many residents found it difficult to comply given their situations.

This crackdown intensifies Pakistan’s ongoing repatriation policy, which has resulted in the return of an estimated 2.3 million Afghans since 2023, including longtime residents and recent refugees who left Afghanistan following the Taliban’s rise to power in 2021. United Nations data indicates that nearly 6,200 Afghans returned from Pakistan in the week ending July 11, marking a significant increase from previous weeks. Despite these repatriations, Pakistan continues to host over one million Afghan nationals.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.