Pakistan has resumed the forced deportation of about 1.4 million Afghan refugees holding Proof of Registration (PoR) cards, starting August 4, 2025. This action follows the government’s decision not to extend the legal stay deadline beyond June 30, 2025, despite strong appeals from the United Nations and rights groups.
The Pakistani government announced on July 31, 2025, that all Afghan nationals with expired PoR cards must leave the country. Officials now consider Afghans without valid passports and Pakistani visas to be in the country illegally. Police across Pakistan have begun detaining Afghans for transport to border crossings, especially in Punjab, Balochistan, and Sindh provinces. While authorities claim there are no mass arrests, house-to-house and random checks are ongoing, creating fear among Afghan communities.
This latest phase of Pakistan’s “Illegal Foreigners’ Repatriation Plan” (IFRP) is the most sweeping yet. The plan began in October 2023 and has already led to the return of over 1,088,133 Afghans from Pakistan since September 2023, according to the UN International Organization for Migration (IOM). The government is also targeting about 800,000 holders of Afghan Citizen Cards (ACC), whose legal status was revoked in March 2025, with deportations starting April 1, 2025.
Key Stakeholders and Official Positions
The Pakistani government, led by the Interior Ministry, says it is acting within its rights as a sovereign country. Officials point out that Pakistan is not a signatory to the 1951 Refugee Convention or its 1967 Protocol, which set international standards for refugee protection. They also cite security concerns and the lack of international support as reasons for the crackdown.
UN agencies, including the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) and the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), have strongly condemned the deportations. They warn that forced returns could create a serious human rights crisis, especially for those at risk of persecution under the Taliban in Afghanistan. Human rights organizations such as Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch have also criticized the plan, saying it violates the principle of non-refoulement. This principle means countries should not send people back to places where they face serious threats to their life or freedom.
Afghan refugees and their advocates report widespread fear, harassment, and economic hardship. Many are forced to sell property and businesses at a loss before leaving. “We have lived here for decades. Our children were born here. Now we are being told to leave everything behind,” said one Afghan community leader in Karachi.
Policy Implications and Practical Effects
The deportation drive affects three main groups:
– Undocumented Afghans (already targeted in 2023)
– ACC holders (targeted since April 2025)
– PoR card holders (targeted as of July/August 2025)
Many Afghans have lived in Pakistan for decades, with children born and raised in the country. The sudden loss of legal status has disrupted education, jobs, and community ties. The UN and IOM warn that Afghanistan is not ready to absorb such high numbers of returnees. Local systems are already stretched, and returnees face severe risks, especially women, girls, journalists, and former government workers.
Pakistani authorities have also told Afghans waiting for third-country resettlement or with pending visa applications that they must leave. This puts extra pressure on vulnerable groups who may have nowhere safe to go.
Procedures and Enforcement
Deportations are being carried out through police operations. Afghans are detained and transported to border crossings, mainly Torkham (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa) and Chaman (Balochistan). There are reports of both voluntary and forced returns. Many Afghans leave quickly to avoid arrest, often abandoning assets and businesses.
The government has not published the full text of the IFRP, and enforcement practices vary by region. Some areas see more aggressive police actions than others. The Interior Ministry, which oversees the campaign, has not commented publicly on the latest phase.
Expert Analysis and Multiple Perspectives
Legal scholars and refugee experts question whether Pakistan’s actions follow international law, especially the rule against returning people to danger. Pakistani officials argue that security concerns and the lack of international help justify the policy. Afghan Taliban authorities have asked for gradual, voluntary repatriation, but Pakistan has rejected these appeals, insisting on strict deadlines.
Civil society organizations in Pakistan have called for more transparency, legal protections, and humanitarian considerations. Some Pakistani courts have directed authorities to stop harassing registered refugees, but enforcement remains inconsistent.
Background and Historical Context
Pakistan has hosted millions of Afghan refugees since the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan in 1979. Over the years, their legal status has changed many times, with periodic waves of repatriation. The current crackdown began in October 2023, after a rise in security incidents and political tensions with the Taliban government in Kabul.
Crackdown on undocumented Afghans begins
Legal status of ACC holders revoked
Deportations of ACC holders start
PoR card holders’ legal status expires
Forced deportations of PoR card holders resume
The government had previously extended PoR card validity by one year to June 30, 2025, but refused further extension. As reported by VisaVerge.com, this decision has left many Afghans with no legal way to stay in Pakistan.
Future Outlook and Pending Changes
As of August 2025, the fate of PoR card holders remains uncertain. There is no sign of further extensions or new legal pathways for regularization. Humanitarian agencies warn that conditions in Afghanistan are worsening and that mass returns could lead to more regional instability. Legal challenges and advocacy efforts continue, but results are mixed.
Practical Guidance for Affected Individuals
- Check your legal status: If you hold a PoR card, know that its validity expired on June 30, 2025. There are no current plans for extension.
- Prepare documents: If you have a valid passport and Pakistani visa, keep them with you at all times.
- Contact official sources: For updates and guidance, visit the Ministry of States and Frontier Regions (SAFRON) of Pakistan.
- Seek help: If you fear persecution upon return, contact UNHCR Pakistan or local legal aid groups for advice.
Summary of Key Data (as of August 2025):
– Over 1.9 million Afghans have returned from Iran and Pakistan to Afghanistan in 2025, including at least 1.2 million forcibly returned.
– 1.4 million PoR card holders and 800,000 ACC holders are the main targets of the current deportation drive.
– More than 1,088,133 Afghans have returned from Pakistan since September 2023.
– PoR card holders’ legal status expired on June 30, 2025, with no further extension granted.
The situation remains highly dynamic, with ongoing enforcement and continued international advocacy for the protection of Afghan refugees in Pakistan. For the latest information, always check official government websites and trusted organizations.
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