The federal interior ministry has directed the Punjab government to initiate the second phase of an operation aimed at deporting Afghan citizen card holders starting from April 15.

During a video conference chaired by Federal Interior Secretary Aftab Durrani, in the presence of Punjab Home Secretary Noorul Amin and other senior officials, it was decided that the federal government would provide Punjab with lists of Afghan Citizen Card Holders. These lists will then be shared with law enforcement agencies, including the police.

Initially, card holders will be encouraged to voluntarily return to Afghanistan. Subsequently, those who do not comply will be apprehended and deported. Sources emphasised that the availability of data on Afghan citizen card holders within the federal government will streamline the process, eliminating previous challenges associated with tracing illegal foreigners.

Following the completion of the second phase of deportations, plans for the third phase, targeting Afghan POR (Proof of Residence) card holders, were also discussed. According to sources, over 400,000 illegal Afghan nationals have already been deported.