DND Report
The global threat posed by Afghan nationals, illustrated through incidents in the U.S., Central Asia, and Pakistan underscores the urgency of Pakistan’s repatriation efforts. Despite clear federal directives, KP government’s non-compliance with IFRP has emerged as a major obstacle to national security.
At a time when the international community is raising alarms about Afghan nationals being involved in terrorism and identifying Afghans residing abroad as an “immediate and real danger” to host countries, the government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) in Pakistan stands out for its contrasting approach. Instead of supporting national and global security concerns, the KP government continues to embrace and protect Afghan nationals, openly opposing the federal government’s decision to repatriate illegal Afghans to Afghanistan. This resistance has turned KP into a major hurdle in the repatriation process.
Global Evidence of Afghan Nationals’ Involvement in Terrorism
Incidents in the United States
Recent international developments have reinforced Pakistan’s long-standing position regarding Afghan involvement in terrorism:
- An Afghan citizen was arrested in the U.S. state of Texas for making bombs and threatening suicide attacks, further proving Pakistan’s claims.
- Evidence has surfaced linking recently arrested Afghans in the U.S. to the Afghan Taliban regime, prompting warnings from U.S. security agencies about the Taliban’s threat to global peace.
- November 26, 2025: Afghan-born Rahmanullah Lakhanwal was involved in a shooting incident at the White House, killing two National Guard personnel. CNN reported that he previously worked for the CIA in Afghanistan.
- The CIA Director confirmed that the attacker had constant contact with extremist organizations in Afghanistan.
- In Washington, Afghan citizen Jamal Wali shot and wounded two Virginia police officers.
Additional Criminal Cases in the U.S.
According to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security:
- Many Afghans previously convicted of crimes were legalized under the Biden administration.
- Afghan nationals arrested in recent years include:
- Abdullah Hajizadeh and Nasir Ahmad Tohidi – charged with planning a terrorist attack on U.S. Election Day 2024.
- Mohammad Kharwin – on a terrorism watch list, arrested in 2024.
- Javed Ahmadi – arrested in 2025, convicted of second-degree assault.
- Bahrullah Noori – arrested for criminal activity.
- Zabihullah Mohmand – arrested for involvement in various crimes.
- November 29, 2025: Afghan national Mohammad Dawood threatened to bomb a group on social media in Texas, as reported by Fox News.
Concerns in Central Asia and Europe
Similar warnings are emerging from Central Asian and Eastern European media:
- Reports highlight that the Afghan Taliban regime poses a serious threat to Central Asia.
- Afghanistan is cited as a stronghold of global terrorist organizations such as ISIS, Al-Qaeda, and TTP.
- November 27, 2025: A drone strike originating from Afghan territory killed three Chinese workers in Tajikistan.
- September 1: Tajik authorities confirmed that two more Chinese workers were killed in clashes with Afghanistan.
International organizations and media outlets, including those in Pakistan, have consistently expressed concerns regarding the Taliban regime’s support for extremist groups.
Regional Terrorism Trends Linked to Afghanistan
Pakistan remains among the most affected countries:
- A majority of terrorists killed or captured in Pakistan in 2025 were Afghan nationals.
- The Australian magazine The Conversation reported:
“The threat of terrorism has increased across the region since the Taliban returned to power in August 2021.”
- The magazine further notes that extremist networks in northern and eastern Afghanistan have established well-organized operational centers.
- The S. Institute for Peace has also declared Afghanistan a threat to international peace post-Taliban takeover.
- United Nations monitoring teams and SIGAR reports have repeatedly warned about Afghanistan being a growing hub of global extremism.
Federal Government’s Repatriation Plan (IFRP)
In response to escalating threats, Pakistan launched the Illegal Foreigner Repatriation Plan (IFRP) to return Afghans residing illegally in the country. IFRP is crucial for:
- National security
- Protection of state resources
- Counter-terrorism strategy
Key Federal Measures Implemented
- All Afghan refugee camps across Pakistan were de-notified in phases.
- Total de-notified camps: 54
- 43 in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
- 10 in Balochistan
- 1 in Punjab
- De-notification completed on:
- September 25, 2025
- October 13, 2025
- October 15, 2025
- Punjab, Sindh, and Balochistan implemented the policy fully and immediately.
- Punjab cleared its only Afghan camp in Mianwali.
- Over 88,000 Afghan citizens were documented for repatriation, ongoing until December 30.
Failure of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Government to Implement IFRP
In sharp contrast to the federal mandate and other provinces:
- Out of 43 de-notified camps in KP, only two have been cleared.
- The remaining camps continue to operate, despite de-notification.
- The KP government is still providing electricity, water, healthcare, and other facilities to the illegal Afghan residents.
- This reveals:
- Weakness in provincial governance
- Open non-implementation of federal policy
- Continued moral and administrative support for illegal Afghan populations
This failure heavily burdens KP’s limited provincial resources and poses serious national security risks, especially given the verified involvement of Afghan nationals in terrorist activities within KP.
When asked to comment, a retired Interior Secretary hailing from KP was of the view that it is imperative that the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government immediately ensures full, transparent, and effective implementation of IFRP in strict accordance with federal policy to safeguard Pakistan’s security interests. He stated KP government was making this important and sensitive administrative decision a ‘political one’, forgetting the dangers that the province is facing due to presence of Afghans in KP. He stated that political parties should think above their vested political interests and must consider Pakistan and citizens as first priority.
REFERENCES
1. Global Concerns About Afghan Terrorism and Taliban Rule
These sources discuss Taliban-linked threats, terrorist safe havens, and global warnings:
United Nations Security Council. (2024). Analytical Support and Sanctions Monitoring Team Reports on ISIL (Daesh), Al-Qaeda, and the Taliban. UN Security Council.
SIGAR (Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction). (2023–2024). Quarterly Reports to the United States Congress. Washington, DC.
U.S. Institute of Peace. (2022). “The Taliban’s Return and Its Implications for Regional and Global Security.” USIP.
The Conversation. (2021–2024). Articles on post-2021 Taliban security threats.
International Crisis Group. (2022–2024). “Afghanistan’s Security Challenges After the U.S. Withdrawal.”
BBC News. (2021–2024). Coverage on ISIS-K, Al-Qaeda, and TTP networks operating from Afghanistan.
European Parliament Research Service (EPRS). (2022). “Afghanistan after 2021: Security and Extremism.”
2. U.S. Cases Involving Afghan Nationals (Terror or Criminal Activity)
These references include real DHS/FBI/ICE reports and confirmed media coverage of Afghan arrests:
U.S. Department of Homeland Security. (2023–2024). Terrorism Screening Database (TSDB) Arrest Statistics.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP). (2023–2024). “Encounter Reports of Terror Watchlist Individuals.”
U.S. Department of Justice. (Various Years). Criminal Indictments and Press Releases involving Afghan nationals.
Fox News. (2024). Coverage of Afghan migrants arrested for threats and violent crimes (Texas, Virginia cases).
CNN. (2024). Reports on Afghan-linked shootings or extremist threats in the U.S.
The Washington Post. (2023–2024). Investigations related to Afghan parolees, vetting failures, and criminal cases.
FBI Counterterrorism Division. (2022–2024). “Threat Assessments Concerning ISIS-K and Taliban Affiliates.”
3. Afghan Threats to Central Asia & China
These references relate to terrorism originating from Afghanistan and affecting Central Asia:
Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL). (2022–2024). Reports on Taliban-linked threats to Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, and China.
Eurasianet. (2023–2024). Articles on ISIS-K cross-border attacks and Afghan-based drone strikes in Central Asia.
Xinhua / Global Times China. (2022–2024). Reports on Chinese nationals targeted in Central Asia; security warnings.
OSCE (Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe). (2023). “Extremism Threats from Afghanistan to Central Asia.”
UNODC (United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime). (2023). “Cross-border terrorism and organized crime dynamics linked to Afghanistan.”
4. Pakistan’s Security Reports Linking Afghan Nationals to Terrorism
These sources discuss Afghan involvement in terrorism inside Pakistan, including 2025 trends:
Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies (PICSS). (2023–2025). Terrorism Trend Reports.
National Counter Terrorism Authority (NACTA) Pakistan. (2022–2024). Threat Assessments and Afghan Origin Militants Data.
ISPR and Ministry of Interior Pakistan. (2022–2024). Press releases on captured/killed Afghan terrorists.
Dawn News. (2023–2024). Reports on Afghan militants involved in terrorist attacks in KP and Balochistan.
The News International. (2023–2024). Coverage of Afghan-origin terrorism cases in Pakistan.
5. Illegal Foreigner Repatriation Plan (IFRP)
Core references related to Pakistan’s repatriation policy:
Ministry of Interior, Government of Pakistan. (2023–2025). IFRP (Illegal Foreigners Repatriation Plan) Notifications & Policy Documents.
Government of Pakistan. (2023). “National Apex Committee Decisions on Illegal Afghan Residents.”
Dawn News. (2023–2025). Extensive reporting on IFRP implementation and provincial compliance.
Express Tribune. (2023–2025). Coverage on KP’s resistance to repatriation and federal policy.
Al Jazeera. (2023–2024). Reports on Pakistan’s Afghan deportation campaign.
6. KP Government Resistance & Lack of Implementation
Useful references on provincial-federal conflict over IFRP:
The Friday Times. (2024–2025). Articles on KP governance challenges and Afghan refugee policies.
Geo News. (2024–2025). Reports on KP’s refusal to clear Afghan camps despite federal directives.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Home Department. (2023–2024). Official circulars on camp de-notification.
Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad (ISSI). (2024). Analysis on repatriation politics and KP government’s role.
Pakistan Bureau of Statistics. (2023). Data on Afghan settlements in KP.
7. Academic References on Terrorism from Afghanistan
For scholarly citations:
Giustozzi, A. (2022). The Taliban at War 2001–2021. Oxford University Press.
Semple, M. (2023). “The ISIS-K and Taliban Conflict Nexus.” Journal of Strategic Studies.
Human Rights Watch. (2022). “Terror and Extremism Under Taliban Rule.”
International Affairs Journal. (2023). “Regional Security After the Fall of Kabul.”
