Pakistan’s ongoing deportation of Afghan refugees has reached a critical point, with over one million Afghans forced to return home since October 2023. Many returnees now face danger, social stigma, and economic hardship under Taliban rule, raising urgent questions about human rights and the future of displaced Afghans.
Mass Deportations Under the Illegal Foreigners’ Repatriation Plan
Since October 2023, Pakistan has carried out the “Illegal Foreigners’ Repatriation Plan,” a government-led effort to remove Afghan nationals who are in the country without valid documents. By June 7, 2025, more than 1,088,000 Afghans had returned to Afghanistan, with about 84,200 of those being forcibly deported. The second phase of this plan began on April 1, 2025, targeting roughly 800,000 holders of Afghan Citizen Cards (ACC) and other undocumented Afghans.
The plan’s scope widened even further after the expiration of the Proof of Registration (PoR) cards on June 30, 2025. These cards had previously allowed Afghan refugees to stay in Pakistan legally. With their expiry, even registered refugees now risk deportation, leaving thousands in a state of fear and uncertainty.
Why Is Pakistan Deporting Afghan Refugees?
The Pakistani government says the deportation plan is needed for security and legal reasons. Officials claim that undocumented foreigners, including many Afghans, pose risks to national security and strain public resources. The interim government has insisted that only those without valid documents are being targeted, but human rights groups and international agencies argue that the policy is too broad and puts vulnerable people at risk.
Amnesty International and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) have both criticized the plan. They warn that it violates international human rights law, especially the principle of non-refoulement—a rule that says refugees should not be sent back to places where they face serious threats to their life or freedom.
Taliban’s View: Returnees as Traitors
For many Afghans, returning home is not just a matter of finding a place to live. The Taliban and some local communities in Afghanistan often see returnees from Pakistan as traitors or outsiders. This perception puts returnees at risk of violence, harassment, and discrimination.
According to reports, some returnees have faced threats, physical attacks, or even arrest by Taliban authorities. Local communities may also treat them with suspicion, making it hard for them to find work or rebuild their lives. This social stigma adds another layer of hardship to an already difficult situation.
Human Rights Crisis: What Are Returnees Facing?
The mass deportations have created a multi-layered human rights crisis for Afghan refugees. Here are some of the main challenges:
- Persecution and Violence: Many returnees fear being targeted by the Taliban, especially if they are seen as having ties to Pakistan or as having adopted different customs.
- Economic Hardship: Most deported Afghans have had to leave behind homes, businesses, and personal belongings in Pakistan. Once back in Afghanistan, they often have no source of income or shelter.
- Social Stigma: Returnees are sometimes shunned by their own communities, making it hard to access support or basic services.
- Lack of Documentation: Many returnees do not have Afghan identity papers, which makes it difficult to access education, healthcare, or employment.
Economic Impact: Losing Everything Overnight
The economic fallout for Afghan refugees is severe. Many had built lives in Pakistan over decades, running small businesses, working in local markets, or sending their children to school. The sudden deportations have forced families to abandon everything they owned.
Back in Afghanistan, the economy is already struggling under Taliban rule. Jobs are scarce, prices are high, and international aid is limited. Returnees often find themselves living in temporary shelters or camps, relying on humanitarian aid to survive.
One Afghan returnee shared, “We had a shop in Pakistan. Now we have nothing. My children cannot go to school, and we do not know how we will eat tomorrow.”
Social Stigma and Isolation
The stigma attached to returnees is a major barrier to rebuilding their lives. In many cases, local communities in Afghanistan view those coming back from Pakistan with suspicion. Some believe returnees have been influenced by foreign ideas or may be spies. This makes it hard for families to integrate, find work, or even access basic services.
Women and girls face particular challenges. In some areas, the Taliban restricts their movement and access to education. Returnee families may be even more isolated, with fewer support networks and greater risk of abuse.
International Response and Human Rights Concerns
International organizations have raised strong objections to Pakistan’s deportation policy. Amnesty International has called for the plan to be withdrawn, arguing that it violates the rights of refugees and puts lives at risk. The UNHCR has also urged Pakistan to halt deportations and renew the PoR cards, which would allow refugees to stay legally.
The principle of non-refoulement is at the heart of these concerns. This rule, part of international law, says that no one should be sent back to a country where they face serious threats to their life or freedom. Many experts believe that sending Afghans back to Taliban-controlled Afghanistan breaks this rule.
A spokesperson for Amnesty International said, “Pakistan must respect its international obligations and protect those at risk. Forcing people back to danger is not the answer.”
Pakistan’s Position and Security Concerns
The Pakistani government maintains that the deportation plan is necessary for national security. Officials argue that the presence of undocumented foreigners, including Afghan refugees, has led to increased crime and security threats. They also point to the strain on public services and resources.
However, critics say that the policy is too broad and does not take into account the real dangers faced by returnees. Many refugees have lived in Pakistan for decades and have deep ties to the country. Forcing them to leave without proper support or planning creates new problems for both Pakistan and Afghanistan.
Legal Status: The Role of PoR and ACC Cards
Two main types of documents have allowed Afghans to stay in Pakistan:
- Proof of Registration (PoR) Cards: These cards were issued to Afghan refugees, allowing them to live and work legally in Pakistan. The cards expired on June 30, 2025, putting holders at risk of deportation.
- Afghan Citizen Cards (ACC): These cards were given to Afghans who did not qualify for refugee status but were allowed to stay temporarily. The second phase of the deportation plan specifically targets ACC holders and undocumented Afghans.
With the expiry of PoR cards and the focus on ACC holders, almost all Afghan refugees in Pakistan are now at risk. There is no clear plan for renewing these documents or providing alternative legal pathways for refugees to remain.
For more information on the legal status of refugees and asylum seekers, readers can visit the UNHCR’s official page on Pakistan.
Implications for Afghan Refugees and Host Communities
The deportations have far-reaching effects, not just for the refugees themselves but also for the communities in both Pakistan and Afghanistan.
For Afghan Refugees:
– Loss of Safety: Many refugees fear for their lives under Taliban rule.
– Disrupted Education: Children who were attending school in Pakistan may not be able to continue their studies in Afghanistan.
– Family Separation: Some families have been split up, with members detained or left behind.
– Uncertain Future: With no legal status in either country, many refugees do not know what comes next.
For Host Communities in Pakistan:
– Economic Impact: The removal of Afghan workers and business owners affects local economies.
– Social Tensions: The deportations have led to increased tension between locals and refugees.
For Afghanistan:
– Humanitarian Strain: The sudden arrival of large numbers of returnees puts pressure on already limited resources.
– Security Risks: The Taliban’s suspicion of returnees could lead to further instability.
International Pressure and Calls for Change
There is growing international pressure on Pakistan to reconsider its deportation policy. Human rights groups, foreign governments, and UN agencies have all called for a halt to the deportations and for the protection of Afghan refugees.
Some possible solutions being discussed include:
– Renewing PoR and ACC Cards: Allowing refugees to stay legally while longer-term solutions are found.
– Third-Country Resettlement: Working with other countries to resettle the most vulnerable refugees.
– Increased Humanitarian Aid: Providing more support to both returnees in Afghanistan and host communities in Pakistan.
Analysis from VisaVerge.com suggests that a coordinated international response is needed to address the crisis. Without action, the risks to Afghan refugees will only grow.
What Can Be Done? Practical Steps and Resources
For Afghan refugees facing deportation, it is important to:
– Seek Legal Advice: Contact local legal aid organizations or the UNHCR for help with documentation and appeals.
– Stay Informed: Follow updates from trusted sources like Amnesty International, UNHCR, and ReliefWeb.
– Document Your Case: Keep records of your stay in Pakistan, including any official documents, school records, or work history.
For those wanting to help, consider:
– Supporting Humanitarian Organizations: Donations to groups working on the ground can provide food, shelter, and legal aid.
– Raising Awareness: Share information about the crisis with others to increase international attention.
Conclusion: A Crisis Needing Urgent Attention
The forced return of Afghan refugees from Pakistan under the Illegal Foreigners’ Repatriation Plan has created a humanitarian crisis. With over a million people affected, the risks of violence, poverty, and social isolation are real and growing. The Taliban’s view of returnees as traitors only adds to the danger.
International law, including the principle of non-refoulement, requires that refugees not be sent back to places where they face serious harm. Pakistan’s current policy puts many lives at risk and has drawn strong criticism from human rights groups and international agencies.
The future for Afghan refugees in Pakistan remains uncertain. Renewed efforts are needed to protect their rights, provide legal pathways for safe stay, and support those forced to return. Only through coordinated action can the cycle of displacement and hardship be broken.
For official information on refugee status and legal rights in Pakistan, visit the UNHCR’s Pakistan page.
Learn Today
Illegal Foreigners’ Repatriation Plan → Pakistan’s government program to remove undocumented Afghan nationals from its territory since October 2023.
Proof of Registration (PoR) Card → Documentation allowing Afghan refugees legal residency and work in Pakistan, expired June 30, 2025.
Afghan Citizen Card (ACC) → Temporary legal card issued to Afghans without refugee status residing in Pakistan.
Non-refoulement → International law principle prohibiting return of refugees to countries where they face serious harm or persecution.
Taliban → Islamist militant group controlling Afghanistan, viewing returnees from Pakistan as traitors and threat.
This Article in a Nutshell
Pakistan’s deportation of Afghan refugees under the Illegal Foreigners’ Repatriation Plan risks human rights violations, economic crisis, and Taliban persecution for over one million returnees by mid-2025.
— By VisaVerge.com
