Pakistan orders arrest of undocumented Afghans, heightens tension with Afghanistan

Pakistan's Interior Ministry issued a directive to provincial authorities ordering the immediate arrest of any Afghan national found in the country without a valid visa, effective July 10, 2026. The order is part of the Illegal Foreigners’ Repatriation Plan launched in October 2023, which has already seen more than two million Afghans return or be deported. Authorities must submit daily reports on arrests and immigration status starting July 11.

Pakistan says militants use Afghan territory to stage attacks, a claim denied by the Taliban-led government in Kabul. Relations worsened after overnight Pakistani airstrikes in Afghanistan's eastern provinces of Kunar, Paktia and Paktika, which Afghan officials say killed at least 28 civilians and wounded many more. Afghanistan summoned the Pakistani chargé d’affaires in protest, and former Afghan leaders Hamid Karzai and Abdullah Abdullah condemned the strikes, calling for dialogue.

The deportation drive has drawn criticism from the United Nations and human‑rights groups over concerns of forced returns, while Pakistani officials maintain it is necessary for national security and immigration enforcement.