Islamabad: Cross-border movement of Afghan nationals into Pakistan has considerably reduced since strict visa policies were introduced following the Peshawar school attack in December 2014.
According to officials, about 150 to 180 Afghan nationals are arrested every day in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Punjab provinces for not possessing valid travel documents and are deported to Afghanistan via the Torkham border, Dawn online reported Saturday.
The Torkham administration officials said that the cross-border movement of Afghans has been curtailed by almost 40 percent.
They said most of the Afghans, now, entering Pakistan possess travel documents or "Proof of Registration" cards issued by the Afghan Commissionerate for temporary residence here.
"We have intensified checking of travel documents of all Afghans aspiring to enter Pakistan for various reasons," they said, adding that no lenience was being shown to those lacking the relevant documents.
They said the process of deportation had also gained momentum after police initiated raids against Afghans residing illegally in cities and towns across the country.
The officials said thousands of Afghan families, who had been unlawfully living for decades were voluntarily returning to their country because of fear of deportation.
