In a big move, the federal government has decided to send back 1.1 million refugees illegally settled in Pakistan back to Afghanistan, according to sources.

Although there is no official statement on the matter, the sources said the decision was made based on the circulation of a summary by the interior ministry.

The reports added that the interior ministry had made the plan after taking all stakeholders on board, including the Afghan government.

The repatriation plan is to be carried out in stages, beginning with Afghans who are illegally living in Pakistan and have not renewed their visas. The second stage will target people who still carry Afghan citizenship and the third will target Afghans carrying proof of residence.

The government believes that the illegal Afghan refugees were allegedly found to be involved in smuggling and terrorism in Pakistan.