Karachi police arrested 18 illegal Afghans in Qaidabad and sealed their residence

Police said the operation was carried out in Qaidabad, where the 18 detained individuals had no legal documents authorising their stay in Pakistan. During the action, police sealed the residence where the group had been living illegally.

The operation was carried out under the supervision of Assistant Commissioner Ibrahim Hyderi.

Police identified the detained Afghan nationals as Sami Ullah, Umaima, Nasiba, Marfa, Umar, Gul China, Habibullah, Hamidullah, Naqibullah, Ehsanullah, Saima, Bibi Gul, Rashida, Gul Meena, Malaika, Naeemullah, Sakina and Shah Tarina.

All 18 detainees were shifted to the GCT Afghan Camp for legal proceedings and further processing. Officials said the group would remain in the camp pending verification and eventual repatriation under Pakistan's immigration rules.

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The arrests come after the Ministry of Interior issued a directive ordering the immediate arrest of any Afghan national found residing in Pakistan without a valid visa, effective from July 10, 2026.

The notification, addressed to chief secretaries across all provinces as well as Gilgit-Baltistan, Azad Jammu and Kashmir and the Islamabad Capital Territory, followed decisions taken during a review meeting on the Illegal Foreigners' Repatriation Plan on June 1.

Provincial authorities have been directed to submit daily reports to the ministry detailing the number of undocumented Afghan nationals arrested and the status of enforcement action.

Pakistan deported more than a million Afghan nationals last year alone, according to figures shared with a Senate standing committee.