Pakistani Prime Minister Orders New Wave Of Afghan Deportations
The Pakistani government, led by Shehbaz Sharif, has approved a new phase of mass deportations targeting Afghan refugees and migrants.
According to a document obtained by Afghanistan International, a meeting chaired by Sharif on Wednesday, 31 January, finalised the decision to expel Afghan refugees from the country.
As per the document, Pakistan's Ministry of Interior is responsible for the initial phase, during which Afghan citizens without official residence documents, along with holders of the Afghan Citizen Card (ACC), will be deported from Islamabad and Rawalpindi to Afghanistan. The exact number of undocumented migrants and ACC cardholders remains unknown.
The ACC is issued to Afghans recognised as legal migrants in Pakistan, serving as proof of their lawful status in the country.
Second Phase and PoR Cardholders' Status
The document outlines that in the second phase, the status of holders of the Proof of Registration (PoR) card will be reviewed. The Pakistani federal cabinet has granted PoR cardholders permission to stay in Pakistan until 30 June 2025. However, despite this allowance, they too will be expelled from Islamabad and Rawalpindi.
Around seven months ago, Sharif’s office reported that approximately 1.45 million Afghans with PoR cards were residing in Pakistan.
The PoR card is granted to Afghans who participated in Pakistan’s refugee registration programme and have official refugee status. PoR cardholders are recognised as registered refugees and, in some cases, have access to specific services and facilities in Pakistan.
Fate of Afghans Awaiting Resettlement in Western Countries
Afghan citizens awaiting resettlement in third countries will be deported from Islamabad and Rawalpindi by 31 March 2025.
Following the Taliban’s takeover of Afghanistan, thousands fled to neighbouring countries, seeking resettlement in a third country. Many remain in limbo as they await the completion of this process.
Shehbaz Sharif has directed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to liaise with Western consulates in Islamabad to facilitate the transfer of these migrants. If no arrangements are made, they will also be deported to Afghanistan.
During the meeting, it was decided that Pakistani authorities must ensure that deported refugees and migrants do not return to Pakistan.
Additionally, the document states that Pakistani intelligence agencies must closely monitor the implementation of the deportation plan and regularly report to the Prime Minister’s office.
Response from the UN Refugee Agency
Meanwhile, the United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR) has acknowledged the Pakistani government’s directive requiring all Afghans holding ACC cards to leave Islamabad and Rawalpindi and return to Afghanistan immediately.
The agency has also confirmed its awareness of the planned deportation of PoR cardholders.
Expressing concern over these developments, the UNHCR has warned that non-compliance with these directives could result in the arrest and deportation of refugees to Afghanistan.
The UNHCR stated that it is seeking further clarification on Pakistan’s deportation programme and reaffirmed its commitment to ongoing discussions to support Afghan refugees and migrants.
Last year, the Pakistani government deported approximately half a million Afghan citizens.
