Authorities have launched a province-wide operation against undocumented Afghan nationals and those overstaying their visas across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, with action underway in Peshawar and other districts, officials said.

According to an official directive issued by the Deputy Commissioner Peshawar, assistant commissioners have been assigned to supervise operations in their respective areas, while law enforcement agencies have been instructed to assist in the implementation of the campaign.

The district administration has circulated a list of Afghan nationals whose visas have expired to the Senior Superintendent of Police (Operations), all assistant commissioners and other relevant departments to facilitate the operation.

Officials identified several commercial areas in Peshawar where undocumented Afghan nationals are allegedly residing or conducting business, including Ashraf Road, Atta Market, Andar Shehr, Khyber Bazaar, Namak Mandi, Plastic Market, Sabzi Mandi, People's Mandi, University Road and various markets in Peshawar Cantonment.

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Residential localities, including Afghan Colony, Faqirabad, Ghareebabad, Corporation Colony and Nawazabad, have also been marked for inspections. The operations are being supervised by the respective assistant commissioners.

Authorities said individuals taken into custody will undergo verification of their identity and legal status before being deported to Afghanistan in phases through the Torkham border crossing.

Security officials said the operation would be carried out only during daytime in markets and residential areas due to security concerns, while night-time raids would be avoided.

Meanwhile, in Bannu, the district administration deported 12 undocumented Afghan nationals after completing all legal formalities, Additional Deputy Commissioner Umar Khattab Khan said.

According to the district administration, the individuals were transported to the Torkham border after police verified their identities and personal records in accordance with the prescribed procedure before being sent across the border into Afghanistan.

Officials said the action was taken under the government's policy against undocumented foreign nationals and that similar operations would continue without discrimination across the province.

Authorities also said that around 25,000 Afghan nationals had returned to Afghanistan from Punjab by Friday, while arrangements had been finalised to accelerate the repatriation process in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.