LANDI KOTAL (Web Desk) – As many as 254 unregistered Afghans were deported to Afghanistan by Pakistani authorities on Tuesday.
The Afghans were reportedly awaiting their deportation since June 14, when the Torkham border was closed due to skirmishes between Afghan and Pakistani security forces.
Officials confirm that the unregistered Afghans were arrested from different parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa during a search and clearance operation and were later charged under the Foreigners Act and handed over to Khyber Agency political administration for deportation to Afghanistan.
Read More: Tensions boil over at Torkham border after Maj. Changezi death
According to a local Afghan Newspaper, The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) expressed concern over the deportation exercise. The UN High Commissioner Filippo Grandi assured Afghan authorities of a durable solution in the aftermath of recent deportations.
Statistics reveal that Pakistan is home to almost 1.6 million registered Afghan refugees.
Related: Afghan forces violate Torkham border agreement again. How come?
