Authorities in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa detained 47 undocumented Afghan nationals on Sunday, marking the first day of an intensified enforcement campaign targeting foreign nationals lacking valid documents. The operation unfolded simultaneously in Charsadda and Mohmand districts, reflecting a broader federal push to regulate the status of foreign residents across Pakistan. Main Developments In Charsadda, police and civil administration teams carried out coordinated raids in the tehsils of Charsadda, Shabqadar, and Tangi. All 47 individuals detained there lacked valid legal documents permitting their stay in Pakistan, officials confirmed. Following initial legal processing, the detainees were transferred under tight security to a holding center in Peshawar, which serves as a temporary transit point before registration, verification, and any subsequent deportation. Separately, in Mohmand district's Baizai tehsil, police arrested three additional Afghan nationals—Iqbal Shah, Lal Gul, and Naw Gul—during a checkpoint operation. Cases were registered against them under the Foreigners Act. District Police Officer Raza Muhammad directed the Mohmand crackdown, which DSP Baizai Circle Pasham Gul Khan supervised. Read also: Senior KP bureaucrat dies by suicide amid property dispute Background Pakistan has steadily intensified efforts in recent months to enforce its policy regarding undocumented foreign nationals. The government has conducted verification and deportation operations in multiple districts, aiming to bring all foreign residents into compliance with immigration and residency laws. The Charsadda and Mohmand actions represent the latest phase of this ongoing campaign. Why It Matters These operations directly affect thousands of Afghan nationals living in Pakistan without legal documentation. The detentions signal that authorities are moving from policy announcements to active enforcement on the ground. For local communities, the crackdown may reduce undocumented migration but also raises concerns about the treatment of individuals who have lived in Pakistan for years without formal status. What's Next Officials stated the Charsadda campaign will continue in the coming days, urging all foreign nationals in the district to ensure they possess valid documents. After documentation and verification at the Peshawar holding center, the deportation process will begin, with repatriation to Afghanistan via the Torkham border crossing. Police in Mohmand also pledged to sustain operations against undocumented foreigners and other unlawful activities across the district.