Pakistan Temporarily Suspends Deportation of Afghan Refugees With PoR Cards

Key Takeaways

• Pakistan suspended deportations of 1.4 million Afghan PoR cardholders as of July 5, 2025.
• Over 1.3 million undocumented and 800,000 ACC holders face high deportation risks.
• PoR card extension decision pending; refugees’ legal status remains uncertain and temporary.

Pakistan’s Temporary Suspension of Afghan Refugee Deportations: An Analytical Review

Purpose and Scope

This analysis examines the recent decision by Pakistan 🇵🇰 to temporarily suspend the deportation of Afghan refugees holding Proof of Registration (PoR) cards. It explores the background, policy context, practical implications, and future outlook for Afghan refugees in Pakistan 🇵🇰. The focus is on the legal status of PoR cardholders, the government’s evolving approach, and the broader humanitarian and geopolitical factors shaping the situation. The analysis aims to provide clear, evidence-based information for refugees, advocates, policymakers, and the general public.

Methodology

This review draws on official government statements, data from the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), and reports from international organizations and news outlets. It synthesizes information from multiple sources to present a comprehensive picture of the current status of Afghan refugees in Pakistan 🇵🇰, with a focus on the period from October 2023 to July 2025. The analysis includes a summary table, trend comparisons, and a discussion of key findings and limitations.

Key Findings

• Deportation of Afghan refugees with PoR cards is suspended as of July 5, 2025, pending a government decision on whether to extend PoR card validity by three to six months.
• Approximately 1.4 million Afghan refugees hold PoR cards; their legal protection is temporary and under review.
• Over 1.3 million Afghans have left Pakistan 🇵🇰 since October 2023, as part of a broader government repatriation plan targeting both undocumented and documented refugees.
• Afghan Citizen Card (ACC) holders and undocumented Afghans face a high risk of deportation, with many already returned.
• The future for Afghan refugees in Pakistan 🇵🇰 remains uncertain, with no long-term legal solution or national asylum framework in place.

Data Presentation and Visual Description

The following table summarizes the current status of Afghan refugees in Pakistan 🇵🇰 as of July 2025:

This table shows three main groups: PoR card holders, ACC holders, and undocumented Afghans. PoR card holders currently have temporary protection, while the other two groups face a high risk of deportation.

Background: PoR Cards and Afghan Refugees in Pakistan 🇵🇰

PoR cards have been a central part of Pakistan’s 🇵🇰 refugee management since 2006. Issued by the government and UNHCR, these cards give Afghan refugees temporary legal status and limited access to services such as education and healthcare. The cards have been extended several times, with the most recent extension expiring on June 30, 2025.

• PoR Card Purpose: To provide Afghan refugees with proof of legal stay and some protection from arrest or deportation.
• Card Validity: PoR cards have been renewed on a short-term basis, usually for one year at a time.
• Current Situation: As of July 5, 2025, the cards have expired, but deportations are suspended while the government considers a new extension.

Policy Context: The Repatriation Plan and Its Phases

Pakistan’s 🇵🇰 “Illegal Foreigners’ Repatriation Plan” (IFRP) began in October 2023. The plan has three phases:

1. Phase One: Targeted undocumented Afghans, leading to mass returns.
2. Phase Two: Focused on Afghan Citizen Card (ACC) holders, who have limited documentation but no legal protection.
3. Phase Three: Planned to include PoR cardholders, but this phase is now paused.

The government’s stated goal is to deport up to 3 million Afghans, both registered and undocumented. Officials argue that Pakistan 🇵🇰 is not a signatory to the 1951 Refugee Convention or its 1967 Protocol, so it is not legally bound by international refugee law.

Trends and Patterns: Deportations and Refugee Flows

• Since October 2023: More than 1.3 million Afghans have left Pakistan 🇵🇰, including over 1 million between September 2023 and June 2025.
• ACC Holders: Around 800,000 Afghans with ACCs have been targeted for deportation since April 2025.
• Undocumented Afghans: Most of the 1.3 million undocumented Afghans have already left or been deported.
• PoR Card Holders: 1.4 million remain in Pakistan 🇵🇰, with their fate uncertain.

The data shows a clear trend: Pakistan 🇵🇰 is moving from targeting undocumented Afghans to those with limited or temporary documentation, such as ACC and PoR cardholders.

Comparisons: Legal Status and Protection

• PoR Card Holders: Have temporary legal status, but this is always at risk of not being renewed. Their protection depends on government decisions, which can change quickly.
• ACC Holders: Have identification but no legal protection. They are at high risk of deportation.
• Undocumented Afghans: Have no legal status or protection and are the most vulnerable.

The main difference is that PoR cardholders have some legal protection, but it is not permanent or guaranteed.

Stakeholder Positions and Official Responses

• Pakistani Government: The Ministry of States and Frontier Regions is leading the suspension of deportations for PoR cardholders. The Interior Ministry oversees the broader repatriation plan. Officials say the policy is needed for security and because Pakistan 🇵🇰 is not bound by international refugee law.
• UNHCR and Rights Groups: UNHCR and organizations like Amnesty International have called for an extension of PoR cards and a halt to mass deportations. They warn that returnees face serious risks in Afghanistan 🇦🇫, especially women and girls.
• Afghan Taliban Authorities: The Taliban government in Kabul wants repatriation to be gradual and voluntary. They have criticized Pakistan’s 🇵🇰 forced returns, but Pakistan 🇵🇰 has not changed its policy in response.

Practical Implications for Afghan Refugees

• Temporary Protection: PoR cardholders are safe from deportation for now, but this could change soon.
• Uncertainty: If the government does not extend PoR cards, over 1.4 million Afghans could lose legal status and face deportation.
• Family Risks: Many families have members with different types of documentation. Some may be protected, while others are at risk, making families vulnerable to separation.
• Recent Experiences: Refugees report police raids, detention, and loss of property. Even with PoR cards, many have faced harassment.

Procedures and Next Steps

• For PoR Cardholders: No immediate action is needed during the suspension. Refugees should watch for official updates about card extensions or new procedures.
• For Authorities: Police and other officials have been told not to detain or harass PoR cardholders while the suspension is in place.
• For Advocates: Refugees and support groups can get information and help from UNHCR Pakistan and the Ministry of States and Frontier Regions. The official UNHCR Pakistan website provides updates and resources.

Humanitarian and Legal Concerns

• Human Rights Risks: Rights groups warn that deported Afghans, especially women and girls, face discrimination, violence, and lack of access to services under Taliban rule in Afghanistan 🇦🇫.
• Legal Uncertainty: The repeated short-term extensions of PoR cards and the lack of a national asylum law leave refugees in a constant state of worry. They never know if their protection will last.
• Geopolitical Factors: Pakistan’s 🇵🇰 policy is shaped by security concerns, tense relations with the Taliban, and limited international support for resettling refugees.

Evidence-Based Conclusions

• Temporary Pause, Not a Solution: The suspension of deportations for PoR cardholders is a short-term measure. It does not solve the underlying problem of legal uncertainty for Afghan refugees in Pakistan 🇵🇰.
• Need for Durable Solutions: Without a long-term legal framework or more international support, Afghan refugees will continue to face instability and risk of forced return.
• Ongoing Vulnerability: Even with the current suspension, refugees remain at risk of harassment, detention, and family separation.

Limitations of the Analysis

• Rapidly Changing Situation: The government’s decision on PoR card extensions is expected soon. The situation could change quickly, making some information outdated.
• Data Gaps: Exact numbers of refugees and deportations are estimates. Some data may not capture recent or unofficial returns.
• Limited Refugee Voices: Most information comes from official sources and advocacy groups. Direct accounts from refugees are less available.

Actionable Guidance for Refugees and Advocates

• Stay Informed: Refugees should follow official announcements from the Ministry of States and Frontier Regions and UNHCR Pakistan for updates on PoR card status.
• Know Your Rights: PoR cardholders are currently protected from deportation. If approached by authorities, they should show their valid (even if expired) PoR card and refer to the government’s suspension order.
• Seek Help: For legal aid or documentation issues, contact UNHCR Pakistan or the Ministry of States and Frontier Regions.
• Advocacy: Support groups can continue to press for a long-term solution and better protection for all Afghan refugees in Pakistan 🇵🇰.

Comparisons and Trends Over Time

• Past Extensions: PoR cards have been extended many times, but always for short periods. This pattern creates ongoing uncertainty.
• Deportation Phases: The government’s approach has shifted from targeting undocumented Afghans to those with some documentation, like ACC and PoR cardholders.
• International Response: While UNHCR and rights groups have called for more protection, there has been little progress toward a permanent solution.

Summary Table: Current Status of Afghan Refugees in Pakistan 🇵🇰 (July 2025)

Future Outlook

• Pending Decision: The Pakistani government is expected to announce soon whether PoR card validity will be extended by three to six months.
• Long-Term Uncertainty: Without a permanent legal framework or more international support, Afghan refugees in Pakistan 🇵🇰 will continue to face instability and risk of forced return.

Conclusion

Pakistan’s 🇵🇰 temporary suspension of deportations for Afghan refugees with PoR cards offers short-term relief but does not address the deeper issues of legal insecurity and lack of durable solutions. The fate of over 1.4 million Afghan refugees depends on government decisions expected in the coming weeks. As reported by VisaVerge.com, the situation remains fluid, and refugees, advocates, and international agencies continue to call for lasting protection and a humane approach. For the latest official updates and resources, visit the UNHCR Pakistan website.

Practical Takeaways

• PoR cardholders are currently protected from deportation, but this may change soon.
• Refugees should monitor official channels for updates on card extensions and legal status.
• Advocates and support groups should continue to push for a long-term, humane solution for Afghan refugees in Pakistan 🇵🇰.

This analysis will be updated as new information becomes available and as the government announces its decision on PoR card extensions.

Learn Today

PoR Card → Proof of Registration card granting temporary legal status to Afghan refugees in Pakistan.
ACC Holder → Afghan Citizen Card holder with limited documentation but no legal protection against deportation.
Undocumented Afghans → Afghans living in Pakistan without legal documentation, facing high deportation risks.
Repatriation Plan → Pakistan’s government-led initiative to deport Afghan refugees in phased operations since October 2023.
UNHCR → United Nations agency protecting refugees, providing documentation, and advocating for refugee rights.

This Article in a Nutshell

Pakistan’s pause on deporting Afghan refugees with PoR cards offers temporary safety. Over 1.4 million rely on these cards amid growing uncertainty. With 1.3 million already departed, the government weighs extensions. This suspension highlights legal precarity and urgent need for durable refugee protections in Pakistan.
— By VisaVerge.com