Pakistan Closes 10 Afghanistani Refugee Camps in Balochistan

DID Press: Following Pakistani government’s decision to completely close ten Afghanistani refugee camps in Balochistan Province, more than 85,000 migrants have been repatriated to Afghanistan. At the same time, a new wave of arrests targeting undocumented migrants has begun in Pakistan’s border cities with Afghanistan.

According to the Pakistani Daily Ausaf, authorities in Islamabad have recently shut down ten Afghanistani refugee camps across Balochistan, including in Quetta, Pishin, Loralai, Chagai, and Qila Saifullah. These camps had housed approximately 85,000 Afghanistani refugees, all of whom have now returned to Afghanistan.

Official figures indicate that around 500,000 Afghanisatni refugees remain registered in Balochistan under the relevant UNHCR commission, but both voluntary and forced repatriations continue.

Simultaneously, Pakistani security forces have launched a broad operation to detain undocumented migrants. On a single day, 3,888 migrants were arrested in Quetta and are being prepared for transfer to border holding centers.

In a related development, the Spin Boldak border crossing between Afghanistan and Pakistan has reopened for trade activities only, while civilian movement remains restricted. Customs clearance has resumed on both sides of the border, and empty trucks with valid passports and visas for Afghan drivers are being allowed entry.

Local sources reported that Torkham crossing is expected to reopen today under similar conditions. The Pakistani government has formally notified the Afghanistan Embassy in Islamabad of this decision.

Meanwhile, three other crossings—Ghulam Khan, Angoor Adda, and Kharlachi—remain closed. Afghanisatan officials have described Pakistan’s actions as part of a “pressure policy against refugees” and have called for the full reopening of humanitarian and commercial routes between the two countries.