The Ministry of the Interior launched a process for the voluntary repatriation of Afghan nationals with proof registration cards (POR), fixing on September 1 as the start date for formal deportations, Radio Pakistan reported.
The decision was made at a high -level meeting Tuesday as part of the current foreigners repatriation plan (IFRP) in progress, citing security problems and increasing pressure on national resources.
A notification from the ministry confirmed that the records of recorded POR cards – whose documents expired on June 30, 2025 – will be officially repatriated compared to next month.
The Ministry of the Interior had previously allowed POR holders to stay in Pakistan until June 30 as part of a previous extension, but since then, more than 1.3 million people have been returned home.
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More than 800,000 Afghans have an Afghan citizen card in Pakistan, according to the United Nations. About 1.3 million are officially registered with the Pakistani government and have a separate residence card.
In total, Pakistan welcomed around 2.8 million Afghan refugees who crossed the border for 40 years of conflict in their homeland.
Meanwhile, United Nations agencies show approximately 1.3 million refugees, mainly in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa.
Pakistan launched the IFRP in November 2023, initially targeting undocumented immigrants and holders of Afghan citizen cards. Since then, around 1.3 million Afghans has been repatriated, but around 1.6 million things have remained in the country, many hoping for a change in politics.
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Afghan refugees responded with alarm: many assets or companies built for decades and fear forced sales at minimal prices if the extensions are not granted.
Despite judicial disputes, including a recent request rejected by the High Court of Islamabad for a suspension on the repatriation of POR holders, the government has maintained its position. The court confirmed the deadline of June 30 in accordance with the policy.
In an effort to facilitate pressure, the Minister of the State Talal Chaudhry referred to a visa policy to come for foreign nationals, which would provide investment incentives – an opportunity that Afghan residents can be eligible if they chose to stay.
International entities, including UNHCR, IOM and Amnesty International, have expressed serious concerns about the scale and humanitarian impact of the accelerated repatriation campaign. Critics warn that forced yields could violate the principle of non-reflection, jeopardize vulnerable populations and destabilize regional security.
