A significant milestone in Pakistan's repatriation drive for Afghan nationals has been reached, with three refugee camps in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa's Bannu district now completely vacated. The development marks the successful return of 525 families to Afghanistan, as authorities intensify efforts to enforce the government's phased repatriation policy. Main Developments Additional Deputy Commissioner Umar Khittab Khan confirmed that all families residing in the Bizan Khel, Ghoriwala, and Mamand Khel camps were repatriated through the Torkham border crossing. The government provided transportation and other necessary facilities to facilitate their return. Attention has now shifted to Afghan nationals living in rented houses or private residences across Bannu city and surrounding villages. Their records have been shared with local police stations, and authorities are working to ensure their early repatriation in line with government directives. Read also: Pakistan Pushes UN for Climate Justice as 2030 SDG Deadline Nears Background The federal government has ordered the arrest and deportation of Afghan nationals living in Pakistan without valid visas. Officials at the Hamza Baba transit point in Landi Kotal reported that daily crossings have exceeded 10,000 since Pakistan set a July 10 deadline for all Afghan nationals to leave the country. The KP government's policy applies to all Afghan refugees regardless of their residence status—whether in camps, urban areas, or villages. For families willing to return voluntarily, temporary transit centres have been established by the district administration, from which transportation is arranged to the Torkham border. Why It Matters The repatriation drive underscores Pakistan's firm stance on undocumented Afghan nationals, while raising humanitarian concerns. The United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) has expressed concerns about what it terms the “forced” repatriation of Afghan nationals from Pakistan, highlighting potential risks for vulnerable populations. With thousands crossing daily, the Torkham border has become a focal point of this mass movement, testing logistical capacities and bilateral relations between Pakistan and Afghanistan. What's Next Authorities will continue to target Afghan nationals in Bannu's urban and rural areas, with police records already shared to expedite the process. The July 10 deadline remains the key date, after which enforcement actions may intensify. Whether voluntary returns through transit centres will keep pace with forced deportations, and how the UNHCR's concerns might influence policy, remain open questions as the repatriation campaign accelerates.