Pakistan To Launch Second Phase Of Afghan Refugee Deportations

Pakistani media report that the government is set to initiate the second phase of deporting undocumented Afghan refugees, placing at least 800,000 people at risk of expulsion.

According to official documents, Pakistan’s Interior Ministry has set a deadline of 31 March 2025 for their departure. Currently, approximately 800,000 Afghan refugees holding temporary residency cards, known as Afghan Citizen Cards (ACCs), reside in Pakistan.

Reports indicate that Afghans awaiting resettlement in a third country have been granted an extension until 30 June 2025. However, those who fail to secure a visa by September 2025 will be classified as illegal immigrants and face deportation.

Additionally, Afghan refugees waiting for visas beyond 31 March will no longer be allowed to stay in Islamabad and will be relocated to other cities before being sent back to Afghanistan.

To ensure enforcement, the Pakistani Prime Minister’s Office has directed security agencies to submit reports every 15 days.

Despite international appeals, Pakistan remains firm on its deportation policy. Relations with the Taliban have deteriorated, and Islamabad previously launched a large-scale repatriation programme, citing security concerns and the rising number of undocumented migrants.

The United Nations and several Western nations have urged Pakistan to halt the deportations, with analysts suggesting that Islamabad is using the issue to pressure the Taliban.

Thousands of Afghan refugees remain stranded, awaiting resettlement in third countries. However, global crises—including the war in Ukraine and tensions in the Middle East—have shifted international attention away from their plight.