By Shafaat yar Khan
The Government of Pakistan has officially set March 31, 2025, as the deadline for Afghan Citizen Card (ACC) holders to leave the country voluntarily. This initiative is part of the broader Illegal Foreigners Repatriation Programme (IFRP), launched on November 1, 2023, to repatriate all illegal foreigners. According to a leaked government document, deportations will commence on April 1, 2025, for those who remain beyond the deadline.
The latest decision escalates an already complex situation for Afghan refugees in Pakistan, many of whom have resided in the country for decades. The Islamabad and Rawalpindi regions will be prioritized for relocation as part of a multi-phase plan that also includes Afghan nationals awaiting resettlement in third countries such as the United States. Intelligence agencies, including the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) and Intelligence Bureau (IB), have been tasked with monitoring the implementation of the relocation plan and providing regular updates to the Prime Minister’s Office.
Pakistan has been a host to one of the largest Afghan refugee populations for over four decades. According to official statistics, there are around 1.3 million registered Afghan refugees and an additional 800,000 Afghan Citizen Card holders. Since November 2023, over 800,000 Afghans have been deported, with millions still awaiting relocation or repatriation.
The Pakistani government has cited national security concerns as a primary reason for the repatriation drive. Officials claim that undocumented Afghan nationals pose security threats and are involved in criminal activities. However, these allegations have been strongly denied by the Afghan government, which argues that most Afghan refugees in Pakistan are peaceful and law-abiding.
The decision to deport Afghan refugees has led to diplomatic tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan. The Afghan Embassy in Islamabad issued a strongly worded statement, claiming that Afghan citizens in Islamabad and Rawalpindi have faced arbitrary arrests, searches, and forced relocations.
“We strongly condemn the mistreatment of Afghan refugees. Pakistan’s actions are against international norms and human rights principles,” the embassy stated. Afghan officials also warned that Islamabad’s crackdown on Afghan nationals would not only worsen relations but could also have serious humanitarian consequences.
In response, Pakistani authorities have dismissed Afghan allegations, insisting that repatriation is a necessary security measure. An official told Dawn that Pakistan is not a signatory to the 1951 United Nations Refugee Convention or its 1967 Protocol, yet has hosted millions of Afghan refugees for decades.
A major concern arising from this deportation drive is the fate of 15,000 Afghan refugees awaiting resettlement in the United States under the evacuation and resettlement efforts following the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021. Many of these individuals worked alongside American forces and are now in limbo, as the U.S. refugee screening process remains slow.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has been tasked with coordinating with foreign embassies to expedite their relocation. However, if immediate arrangements are not made, these individuals will also face deportation to Afghanistan, despite the risks they may encounter under Taliban rule.
U.S.-based advocacy groups have criticized Pakistan’s move, calling for an urgent solution. The Biden administration has yet to provide a clear response on how it plans to expedite the resettlement process amid these forced repatriations.
Meanwhile, former U.S. President Donald Trump has announced plans to impose a ban on Afghan and Pakistani nationals from entering the United States if he is re-elected in 2024. This policy could further complicate the situation for thousands of Afghan refugees who had hoped to be relocated to the U.S. Trump’s proposed travel ban has been widely criticized by human rights organizations, which argue that it unfairly targets vulnerable populations fleeing conflict.
The mass deportation of Afghan refugees has raised alarms among international humanitarian organizations. The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has urged Pakistan to ensure a safe and dignified repatriation process. Meanwhile, human rights organizations have criticized Pakistan’s handling of the situation, warning that deportations could result in widespread suffering.
Many Afghan refugees in Pakistan have lived there for decades, built lives, and established businesses. Now, they face an uncertain future in a country they barely know. Families have been torn apart, with some members forced to return while others remain in limbo, awaiting resettlement in third countries.
Despite international pressure, the Pakistani government remains adamant about its stance, citing national security and economic burdens. With the March 31, 2025, deadline fast approaching, the fate of Afghan refugees remains uncertain, adding to the already strained relations between Islamabad and Kabul.
The views expressed in this article are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect Coverpage’s editorial stance.
