Pakistan’s New Deportation Plan Targets Afghan Refugees. Pakistan has announced a three-phase deportation plan for Afghan refugees. More than two million Afghans face expulsion under strict new regulations. The plan includes Afghan Citizen Card (ACC) holders, Proof of Registration (PoR) cardholders, and those awaiting resettlement in third countries.
Fear and Uncertainty for Afghan Families
Salima Ahmad, an Afghan refugee, feared deportation when she noticed a gap in her visa renewal dates. Days later, police raided her home in Islamabad. They arrested her husband despite her attempts to show proof of their visa application. Officers then took her and her children to a refugee camp on the outskirts of the city. She secured their release only after paying a bribe of 60,000 rupees ($216). Ahmad now fears another arrest when her visa expires again in a month.
A Growing Crackdown on Afghan Refugees
The Pakistani government has already deported over 800,000 Afghan refugees since late 2023. The first phase of the plan focuses on undocumented refugees. The second phase will target PoR cardholders. The final phase will expel Afghan refugees waiting for relocation to other countries. Only valid visa holders will be allowed to stay.
Pakistan’s Long History of Hosting Afghan Refugees
Pakistan has hosted Afghan refugees since the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan in 1979. Civil war and Taliban rule caused multiple waves of displacement. After the U.S. invaded Afghanistan in 2001, many Afghans returned home. However, the Taliban’s return to power in 2021 forced another wave of migration into Pakistan. Today, Pakistan hosts 2.5 million Afghan refugees. Many of them hold legal documents issued by the UNHCR or the Pakistani government.
Expensive and Uncertain Visa Renewal Process
Afghans in Pakistan struggle with costly and unpredictable visa renewals. The official renewal fee is $20, but delays and rejections force refugees to use expensive agents. Bribes of up to 20,000 rupees ($72) are common. Since January, visas are now only valid for one month, increasing the risk of deportation.
Rising Tensions Between Pakistan and Afghanistan
Pakistan accuses the Taliban government in Afghanistan of sheltering Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) militants. The TTP has carried out hundreds of attacks in Pakistan. Islamabad blames Afghan refugees for some attacks, though the Taliban denies these claims. Rising tensions have worsened conditions for Afghan refugees in Pakistan.
Uncertain Future for PoR Cardholders
PoR cardholders previously had rights, such as opening bank accounts and registering in Pakistan’s database. Their status now remains unclear. The UNHCR extended PoR cards until June 2025, but the government has not confirmed if refugees can stay beyond that date.
Afghans Awaiting Resettlement Fear Forced Return
The Pakistani government has set a March 31 deadline for Afghan refugees awaiting resettlement in third countries. Those who fail to leave face deportation. Thousands of Afghan refugees applied for asylum or refugee programs, but delays have left them stranded. Many fear for their lives if forced to return to Afghanistan.
UNHCR Calls for More Compassion
UNHCR officials say over 800 Afghans, including women and children, have already been deported in 2025. The agency urged Pakistan to consider the risks faced by refugees returning to Afghanistan. Many of them have pending resettlement cases or asylum applications.
Impact on Refugees Seeking Relocation
Ikramullah Jamil, a 31-year-old Afghan, was born in Pakistan but lived in Afghanistan for six years. He returned to Pakistan in 2021. He applied for the U.S. Welcome Corps refugee program. His application was under review, but after the Trump administration paused refugee programs, his case is now in limbo. With his PoR card expiring soon, Jamil fears deportation.
Lack of Clarity from the Pakistani Government
UNHCR officials say Pakistan has not provided clear answers on the status of documented Afghan refugees. Many refugees face an uncertain future despite having legal documents. The UNHCR urges Pakistan to recognize refugee documents and stop arrests of registered Afghans.
Pakistan’s deportation plan has left Afghan refugees in fear. Many of them have lived in the country for decades. The lack of clarity in government policies has worsened their situation. International organizations urge Pakistan to reconsider mass deportations. Meanwhile, refugees like Salima Ahmad and Ikramullah Jamil face an uncertain future.
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