The recent wave of Afghan deportations by Pakistan has triggered emotional responses, especially from international human rights groups and Western commentators. Yet, when analyzed through the lens of national security, social cohesion, and counterterrorism, the repatriation initiative represents a necessary, justified, and overdue policy step. This is not a matter of hostility toward Afghan refugees but a recalibration of Pakistan’s internal security and administrative order, after years of unchecked infiltration and militant exploitation of refugee cover.
Over four decades, Pakistan has hosted one of the largest refugee populations in the world. At its peak, over 3.5 million Afghans sought shelter inside Pakistan following the Soviet invasion, civil wars, and, more recently, the fall of Kabul in 2021. While Pakistan extended immense hospitality; despite facing economic and social pressures, it has also paid a heavy cost for its open-border policy. Refugee settlements, particularly in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan, were increasingly exploited by militant groups such as the Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), Islamic State-Khorasan (IS-K), and other splinter factions that have consistently used Afghan soil and refugee routes to launch cross-border attacks.
The latest incident on April 5-6, in which eight terrorists attempting to infiltrate the Pakistan-Afghanistan border were neutralized in North Waziristan, is not isolated. It is part of a growing pattern of cross-border militancy. According to data from the Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies (PICSS), March 2025 recorded over 100 militant attacks; the highest monthly figure in more than a decade. In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa alone, 206 people were killed in the first quarter of the year, including 49 security personnel. Many of these attacks, the military and intelligence sources assert, were planned and executed by militants operating from within Afghan territory or facilitated by sleeper cells embedded within refugee communities.
These developments highlight why Pakistan’s decision to repatriate undocumented Afghans is neither impulsive nor discriminatory. Rather, it is an attempt to close the gaps that terrorists have repeatedly exploited. Despite repeated diplomatic engagements, the interim Afghan government has failed to prevent anti-Pakistan groups from operating freely within its borders. The continued presence of TTP leaders, their ability to regroup, and the permissiveness of Afghan territory for hostile operations have left Islamabad with little choice but to assert control over its internal frontlines.
The military’s role in implementing border security measures has been decisive and effective. Through real-time surveillance, coordinated intelligence, and tactical responses, the Pakistan Army and other law enforcement agencies have significantly foiled numerous infiltration attempts this year alone. The April 5 operation in North Waziristan, where troops detected and engaged a group of militants attempting to cross over from Afghanistan, is a case in point. The military’s swift action prevented another planned attack, demonstrating its unwavering commitment to defend Pakistan’s sovereignty and its people.
Beyond security, the Afghan repatriation process also serves a vital administrative function. According to the Ministry of Interior, nearly 1.7 million Afghans residing in Pakistan do not possess any legal documentation. This poses serious challenges to law enforcement, public service delivery, and demographic management. Pakistan’s fragile urban centers; especially Quetta, Karachi, and Peshawar—have absorbed disproportionate burdens in healthcare, housing, and employment. With the country already grappling with high inflation and limited fiscal space, sustaining an unregistered population of this magnitude is neither feasible nor fair to local communities.
The Pakistan Army’s coordination with civil authorities to carry out the repatriation in an orderly and humane manner further reflects the professionalism and institutional maturity of the country’s security apparatus. There have been no reports of systematic abuse or violations during the process, despite repeated provocations and international pressure. Instead, the army has worked to ensure that repatriations are managed through proper documentation, family registration, and secure transit. Afghan nationals with legal status are not being targeted, and humanitarian exceptions are being handled through consular mechanisms and third-party support.
Critics of the policy often fail to acknowledge that Pakistan is acting within its sovereign rights, as recognized by international law. No state is obligated to indefinitely host non-citizens, particularly when their presence undermines national security and public order. Moreover, Pakistan’s security calculus is rooted in hard data. The Global Terrorism Index 2025 ranked Pakistan as the second-most affected country in terms of terrorism-related fatalities, with a 45 percent increase in deaths compared to the previous year. It is unrealistic to expect the state to remain passive when faced with such clear and present threats.
It is also important to contextualize this policy within a broader regional landscape. Pakistan is not alone in facing challenges from Afghan-based militancy. Iran, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan have all raised similar concerns about cross-border terrorism and the unchecked movement of fighters in and out of Afghanistan. Pakistan, however, has taken the lead in implementing firm and decisive measures to safeguard its citizens.
The return of undocumented Afghans is not about closing the door on humanitarianism. Pakistan has consistently supported efforts for inclusive Afghan reconciliation, humanitarian aid flows, and regional economic integration. But it cannot continue to be the scapegoat for Afghanistan’s internal chaos, nor can it allow its territory to be used as a battlefield by those who operate in the shadows of displaced populations.
In the final analysis, the deportation policy reflects Pakistan’s resolve to reset the terms of engagement—domestically and regionally. It is a message that the days of open exploitation of Pakistani soil, hospitality, and patience are over. The Pakistan Army’s role in securing the frontlines, dismantling militant networks, and ensuring the success of this strategy is both commendable and essential.
This is not just a law and order decision. It is a national security imperative. And for the people of Pakistan, especially those living in the borderlands who have paid the highest price, it is a long overdue correction that puts their safety and future first.
