India, Aug. 1 -- Pakistan on Friday issued a new order asking Afghan nationals residing in its southwestern regions to leave the country. This prompted thousands to rush toward the Afghan-Pakistan border in an attempt to return to their home nation.

"We have received directives from the Home Department to launch a fresh drive to repatriate all Afghans... in a respectful and orderly manner," AFP quoted Mehar Ullah, a senior government official in Quetta, the capital of Balochistan province, as saying.

"There were reportedly around 4,000 to 5,000 people at the Chaman border on Friday, waiting to return," said senior government official Habib Bingalzai.

The province of Balochistan borders Afghanistan and reportedly shares significant cult...