Islamabad says national security concerns justify the repatriation of thousands of undocumented Afghans.
Following the expiration of a government deadline for undocumented Afghans, Pakistan has intensified its crackdown on thousands remaining in the country.
In response to criticism, authorities assert they are upholding immigration law and emphasize national security concerns.
Hundreds of thousands of Afghans have returned to a country they once fled; the UN notes that this group includes undocumented migrants, refugees, and Afghan citizens holding the national ID card.
The campaign has coincided with escalating political tensions between Islamabad and Kabul.
The role of politics in this growing tension between the two neighbors and Kabul’s approach to the influx of returnees are being examined.
Presenter: Scott McLean
Guests:
Obaidullah Baheer – Adjunct Lecturer at the American University of Afghanistan
Kamran Bokhari – Senior fellow with the Middle East Policy Council in Washington, DC
Zahid Mahmood – Pakistani defence analyst and former senior officer of the Pakistan Army
Published On 11 Jul 2026
