491 Afghans Released from Pakistani Prisons and Repatriated

The Ministry of Refugees and Repatriation confirmed on Thursday that 491 Afghan nationals have been released from detention in Pakistan and returned to Afghanistan. The individuals were held in Pakistani correctional facilities after authorities determined they lacked valid legal residency documents.

Ministry officials reported that the repatriation was processed through two major border crossings. Of the total returnees, 379 entered the country via the Torkham crossing in eastern Nangarhar province, while the remaining 112 crossed at Spin Boldak in southern Kandahar province. Upon arrival, returnees were registered by ministry personnel and provided with initial administrative processing before being transferred to their respective home provinces.

The release marks the second coordinated repatriation of detainees in recent weeks. On 30 April, a separate group of 527 Afghan refugees was similarly released from Pakistani prisons and transported back across the border. The Ministry of Refugees and Repatriation noted that it maintains regular communication with Pakistani counterparts to address the status of Afghan nationals facing immigration-related detention. Officials stated that the government continues to coordinate with neighboring authorities to ensure the safe and documented return of citizens. The ministry has not released further details regarding the specific locations of the detention facilities or the exact timeline of the prisoners' release prior to their transport to the border.