Over 200,000 Afghans Leave Pakistan Since Deportations Renewed

Key Takeaways

• Over 200,000 Afghans left Pakistan since April 2025 amid intensified deportations targeting ACC holders and undocumented individuals.
• PoR card holders are currently excluded but face uncertain legal status after cards expire on June 30, 2025.
• Humanitarian agencies warn of severe hardship, including lack of food and shelter, for returnees arriving in Afghanistan.

Purpose and Scope

This analysis examines the recent wave of deportations affecting over 200,000 Afghans who have left Pakistan 🇵🇰 since April 2025. It explores the policy changes, official procedures, humanitarian impacts, and broader trends shaping the situation. The focus is on the second phase of Pakistan’s deportation campaign, which targets both undocumented Afghans and those with previously valid Afghan Citizen Cards (ACC). The analysis also considers the future of refugees holding UNHCR-issued Proof of Registration (PoR) cards, the response of key stakeholders, and the practical effects on individuals and communities. The goal is to provide a clear, evidence-based overview that helps readers understand the scale, process, and consequences of these deportations.

Methodology

This content draws on official statistics from Pakistan’s Ministry of Interior, statements by international organizations such as the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), and reports from human rights groups. Quantitative data is presented in tables and described visually for clarity. The analysis integrates multiple perspectives, including those of the Pakistani government, international agencies, and affected Afghan communities. Official government resources, such as the Pakistan Ministry of Interior, are referenced for policy details and updates. Analysis from VisaVerge.com is included to provide additional context and credibility.

Key Findings

• Over 200,000 Afghans have left Pakistan 🇵🇰 since April 2025 due to renewed deportation efforts.
• More than one million Afghans have departed since 2023, marking one of the largest forced migrations in the region’s recent history.
• The second phase of deportations began in March 2025, targeting up to 1.6 million Afghans, including ACC holders and undocumented individuals.
• PoR card holders are currently excluded from deportations, but their legal status is uncertain after June 30, 2025, when their cards expire.
• Humanitarian agencies warn of severe hardship for returnees, including lack of food, shelter, and risk of persecution.
• International condemnation has not led to policy changes, and Pakistan’s government remains firm on its deadlines and scope.

Data Presentation and Visual Descriptions

The scale and pace of the deportations can be seen in the following table:

Visually, imagine a steady stream of people crossing the main border points at Torkham and Chaman, carrying their belongings and often accompanied by children. The numbers peaked in April 2025, with over 135,000 departures, then slowed to 67,000 in May, and over 3,000 in just the first two days of June. Since the start of the repatriation program in 2023, more than one million Afghans have left Pakistan 🇵🇰, either voluntarily or by force.

Comparisons, Trends, and Patterns

Historical Context: Afghan migration to Pakistan 🇵🇰 began in 1979 with the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan 🇦🇫. New waves followed the US invasion in 2001 and the Taliban’s return to power in 2021. By October 2023, there were an estimated 3.8 to 4.4 million Afghans in Pakistan 🇵🇰, with about 1.7 million undocumented.

First Phase (Nov 2023–Feb 2025): Over 800,000 Afghans left, many under threat of arrest or harassment. This phase mainly targeted undocumented Afghans.

Second Phase (March 2025–present): The campaign expanded to include ACC holders, with increasing pressure on PoR card holders. The government set a deadline of March 31, 2025, for voluntary departure, after which enforcement actions intensified.

Recent Acceleration: The pace of departures increased sharply in April 2025, with over 135,000 Afghans leaving in a single month. This was followed by 67,000 in May and over 3,000 in the first two days of June. The trend suggests that the government’s enforcement measures and public messaging have been effective in pushing people to leave quickly.

Legal Status and Documentation: While PoR card holders are currently excluded from deportations, their cards expire on June 30, 2025. The government has not confirmed whether these cards will be renewed, creating uncertainty for tens of thousands of refugees.

Regional Impact: The influx of returnees is overwhelming Afghanistan’s 🇦🇫 fragile infrastructure and social services. Similar deportations from Iran 🇮🇷 are compounding the crisis, putting additional pressure on humanitarian agencies.

Step-by-Step Deportation Process

1. Announcement of Deadlines: The government sets a deadline for voluntary departure (e.g., March 31, 2025, for ACC holders).
2. Identification and Registration: Authorities identify undocumented Afghans and those with canceled documentation (ACCs, expired visas).
3. Voluntary Departure Window: Individuals are encouraged to leave voluntarily before the deadline to avoid forcible deportation.
4. Enforcement: After the deadline, police and local authorities conduct raids, detain individuals, and forcibly deport them via major border crossings (Torkham, Chaman).
5. Border Processing: Deportees are processed at the border and handed over to Afghan authorities or humanitarian agencies.

This process is designed to encourage voluntary departure but often results in forced removals, especially for those unable to leave in time.

Policy Changes and Official Status

Second Phase of Deportations: Launched on March 7, 2025, this phase canceled Afghan Citizen Cards (ACC) and ordered all ACC holders and undocumented Afghans to leave voluntarily by March 31, 2025, or face deportation. The policy targets up to 1.6 million Afghans, including many who have lived in Pakistan 🇵🇰 for decades.

No-Objection Certificate (NOC) Requirement: Afghan refugees are prohibited from residing in Islamabad without a NOC, a document that is difficult to obtain.

Legal Protections Eroded: Even Afghans with legal documentation (ACC or PoR) have faced deportation, eviction, and harassment, despite government assurances to the Supreme Court that registered refugees would not be apprehended or deported.

PoR Card Expiry: UNHCR-issued PoR cards are only valid until June 30, 2025. The future status of these refugees is uncertain, and many fear they will be included in future deportation rounds.

Stakeholder Perspectives

Pakistani Government: Officials justify the deportations on security grounds, citing increased terrorist attacks allegedly linked to Afghan nationals. They argue that Pakistan 🇵🇰, as a non-signatory to the 1951 Refugee Convention, has the right to control its borders and deport undocumented foreigners. The Ministry of Interior has stated that deadlines will not change.

International Agencies (IOM, UNHCR): These organizations have expressed deep concern about the humanitarian impact and the risk of refoulement (forced return to danger), especially for vulnerable groups such as women, journalists, and former Afghan officials.

Human Rights Groups (Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch): These groups have condemned the deportations as violations of international law and launched advocacy campaigns to halt forced returns. They argue that Pakistan 🇵🇰 is scapegoating Afghans for domestic security and economic problems.

Afghan Taliban Authorities: The Taliban government in Afghanistan 🇦🇫 has called for gradual, voluntary repatriation but has been rebuffed by Islamabad.

Afghan Community: Many Afghans in Pakistan 🇵🇰 report widespread fear, discrimination, and loss of livelihoods. Some have never lived in Afghanistan 🇦🇫 and face an uncertain future upon return.

Humanitarian and Practical Effects

Humanitarian Crisis: Many deportees face severe hardship upon return to Afghanistan 🇦🇫, including lack of food, shelter, and risk of persecution. Vulnerable groups, such as women, former government officials, and journalists, are at particular risk.

Legal Uncertainty: The cancellation of ACCs and the looming expiration of PoR cards mean that even previously documented Afghans are at risk of deportation.

Family Separation and Asset Loss: Many families are split due to mixed documentation status, and deportees often leave behind property and livelihoods.

Regional Strain: The influx of returnees is overwhelming Afghanistan’s 🇦🇫 already fragile infrastructure and social services. Similar deportations from Iran 🇮🇷 are making the crisis worse.

International Response: Humanitarian agencies are struggling to provide basic support, and rights groups are calling for increased resettlement opportunities and humanitarian aid.

Comparative Analysis and Trends

Comparison with Past Deportations: The current wave is larger and more systematic than previous efforts. The use of deadlines, mass identification, and enforcement actions has led to a sharp increase in departures.

Pattern of Policy Tightening: The Pakistani government has moved from targeting undocumented Afghans to including those with previously valid documentation. The future of PoR card holders is now in doubt, suggesting a trend toward even stricter enforcement.

International Pressure: Despite widespread condemnation and calls for a more humane approach, Pakistan 🇵🇰 has not changed its policy. The government remains firm on its deadlines and scope.

Regional Impact: The crisis is not limited to Pakistan 🇵🇰 and Afghanistan 🇦🇫. Similar deportations from Iran 🇮🇷 and limited international resettlement options mean that the burden falls mainly on Afghanistan 🇦🇫 and humanitarian agencies.

Evidence-Based Conclusions

• The deportation campaign has led to the departure of over 200,000 Afghans from Pakistan 🇵🇰 since April 2025, and more than one million since 2023.
• The policy now targets both undocumented Afghans and those with previously valid documentation, with the future of PoR card holders uncertain.
• Humanitarian agencies warn of a growing crisis, with many returnees facing severe hardship and risk of persecution.
• International condemnation has not led to policy changes, and Pakistan 🇵🇰 remains committed to its deportation deadlines.
• The situation is likely to worsen after June 30, 2025, when PoR cards expire, unless there is a change in policy or increased international support.

Limitations

• Data on the exact number of forced versus voluntary departures is limited, as many leave under pressure or threat of arrest.
• The situation is evolving rapidly, and policy changes could occur after the publication of this analysis.
• Access to affected communities is restricted, making it difficult to fully assess the humanitarian impact.

Actionable Takeaways and Next Steps

• For Afghans in Pakistan 🇵🇰: Stay informed about official deadlines and documentation requirements. Seek assistance from UNHCR Pakistan and humanitarian agencies if at risk.
• For Humanitarian Agencies: Continue to provide support at border crossings and in Afghanistan 🇦🇫, focusing on vulnerable groups.
• For Policy Makers: Consider the humanitarian impact of mass deportations and explore alternatives, such as phased repatriation or renewed documentation.
• For International Community: Increase support for humanitarian agencies and resettlement programs to help ease the burden on Afghanistan 🇦🇫.

For official updates and policy details, visit the Pakistan Ministry of Interior. As reported by VisaVerge.com, the ongoing deportations of 200,000 Afghans from Pakistan 🇵🇰 highlight the urgent need for coordinated international action and practical support for those affected.

In summary, the renewed deportation campaign has forced over 200,000 Afghans to leave Pakistan 🇵🇰 since April 2025, with more than one million departures since 2023. The policy now targets both undocumented and previously documented Afghans, with the future of many refugees in doubt. The humanitarian crisis continues to grow, and the response of the international community will be critical in the months ahead.

Learn Today

Afghan Citizen Card (ACC) → A Pakistani-issued document granting Afghan refugees legal status in Pakistan for residency and work purposes.
Proof of Registration (PoR) → UNHCR-issued cards identifying registered Afghan refugees, valid until June 30, 2025, currently exempt from deportations.
Deportation → The forced removal of individuals from a country where they reside without proper authorization.
No-Objection Certificate (NOC) → A difficult-to-obtain Pakistani authorization required for Afghan refugees to legally reside in Islamabad.
Refoulement → The forced return of refugees to a country where they face danger, prohibited under international law.

This Article in a Nutshell

Since April 2025, intensified Pakistani deportations have forced over 200,000 Afghans from the country, expanding to documented holders amid rising humanitarian concerns.
— By VisaVerge.com