The Ministry of Interior has initiated a process for voluntary repatriation of registration cards (by) of Afghan nationals, establishing September 1 as the start date of formal deportations, Radio Pakistan reported.
The decision was taken during a high -level meeting on Tuesday under the illegal foreigner repatriation plan (IFRP) ongoing, citing security concerns and growing tension in national resources.
A notification of the Ministry confirmed that the registered card holders, whose documents expired on June 30, 2025, will be officially repatriated from next month.
The Interior Ministry had previously allowed the headlines for remaining in Pakistan until June 30 as part of an earlier extension, but since then more than 1.3 million people have been returned home.
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According to UN data, more than 800,000 Afghas have an Afghan citizen card in Pakistan. Others approximately 1.3 million are formally registered with the Pakistan government and have a separate residence test.
In total, Pakistan organized around 2.8 million Afghan refugees who crossed the border for 40 years of conflict in their homeland.
Meanwhile, UN figures show approximately 1.3 million refugees, mainly in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa.
Pakistan launched the Iffif in November 2023, initially aimed at undocumented immigrants and headlines of Afghan citizen cards. Since then, around 1.3 million Afghan have been repatriated, but approximately 1.6 million remain in the country, many of them with the hope of a policy change.
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Afghan refugees have responded with alarm: many assets or their own businesses built for decades and fear forced sales at minimum prices if not extensions are granted.
Despite the legal challenges, including a recent request rejected by the Superior Court of Islamabad for a suspension of the repatriation of the holders of POR, the Government has maintained its position. The court had affirmed the deadline of June 30 according to the policy.
In an effort to relieve pressure, Talal Minister of State Chaudhry hinted at an upcoming visa policy for foreign citizens, which would provide investment incentives, an opportunity for which Afghan residents can be eligible if they choose to remain.
International entities, including UNHCR, IOM and Amnesty International, have expressed a serious concern for the scale and humanitarian impact of the accelerated repatriation campaign. Critics warn that forced returns could violate the principle of not restarting vulnerable populations and destabilizing regional security.
