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Express Tribune
5 days ago
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Pakistan starts deporting registered Afghan refugees
Listen to article Pakistan has started to deport documented Afghan refugees ahead of its deadline for them to leave, according to the United Nations, in a move that could see more than 1 million Afghans expelled from the country. The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees said that it had received reports of arrests and expulsions of legally registered Afghans across the country before Pakistan's September 1 deadline for them to leave. The UNHCR said that sending the Afghans back in this way was a breach of Pakistan's international obligations. "UNHCR is calling on the government to stop the forcible return and adopt a humane approach to ensure voluntary, gradual, and dignified return of Afghans," it said in a statement. Read More: Afghan card holders to be deported from Sept 1 The voluntary return of the documented refugees shall commence forthwith, said a Pakistan's interior ministry order seen by Reuters. It said the formal deportation process will start after the deadline. But Qaisar Khan Afridi, a spokesman for the UNHCR, told Reuters on Wednesday that hundreds of legally registered Afghan refugees had already been detained and deported to Afghanistan from August 1 to August 4. The interior ministry did not respond a Reuters request for a comment. More than 1.3 million Afghans hold documentation known as Proof of Registration cards, while 750,000 more have another form of registration known as an Afghan Citizen Card. Many Afghans have been settled in Pakistan since the 1980s, to escape cycles of war in Afghanistan. "Such massive and hasty return could jeopardize the lives and freedom of Afghan refugees, while also risking instability not only in Afghanistan but across the region," UNHRC said. Pakistani authorities have said that Islamabad wants all Afghan nationals to leave except for those who have valid visas. The repatriation drive by Pakistan is part of a campaign called the Illegal Foreigners Repatriation Plan launched in late 2023. Also Read: NA passes resolutions against honour killings, digital harassment Pakistan has in the past blamed militant attacks and crimes on Afghan citizens, who form the largest migrant group in the country. Afghanistan has rejected the accusations, and has termed the repatriations as forced deportation. In addition to the repatriation from Pakistan, Afghanistan also faces a fresh wave of mass deportations from Iran. Aid groups worry that the influx risks further destabilizing the country.
Business Recorder
5 days ago
- Politics
- Business Recorder
Pakistan starts deporting registered Afghan refugees, says UNHCR
PESHAWAR: Pakistan has started to deport documented Afghan refugees ahead of its deadline for them to leave, according to the United Nations, in a move that could see more than 1 million Afghans expelled from the country. The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees said that it had received reports of arrests and expulsions of legally registered Afghans across the country before Pakistan's September 1 deadline for them to leave. The UNHCR said that sending the Afghans back in this way was a breach of Pakistan's international obligations. 'UNHCR is calling on the government to stop the forcible return and adopt a humane approach to ensure voluntary, gradual, and dignified return of Afghans,' it said in a statement. The voluntary return of the documented refugees shall commence forthwith, said a Pakistan's interior ministry order seen by Reuters. It said the formal deportation process will start after the deadline. Afghan refugees: Action against valid PoR cards holders refrained But Qaisar Khan Afridi, a spokesman for the UNHCR, told Reuters on Wednesday that hundreds of legally registered Afghan refugees had already been detained and deported to Afghanistan from August 1 to August 4. The interior ministry did not respond a Reuters request for a comment. More than 1.3 million Afghans hold documentation known as Proof of Registration cards, while 750,000 more have another form of registration known as an Afghan Citizen Card. Many Afghans have been settled in Pakistan since the 1980s, to escape cycles of war in Afghanistan. 'Such massive and hasty return could jeopardize the lives and freedom of Afghan refugees, while also risking instability not only in Afghanistan but across the region,' UNHRC said. Pakistani authorities have said that Islamabad wants all Afghan nationals to leave except for those who have valid visas. The repatriation drive by Pakistan is part of a campaign called the Illegal Foreigners Repatriation Plan launched in late 2023. Pakistan has in the past blamed militant attacks and crimes on Afghan citizens, who form the largest migrant group in the country. Afghanistan has rejected the accusations, and has termed the repatriations as forced deportation. In addition to the repatriation from Pakistan, Afghanistan also faces a fresh wave of mass deportations from Iran. Aid groups worry that the influx risks further destabilising the country.
The Star
5 days ago
- Politics
- The Star
Pakistan starts deporting registered Afghan refugees, says UNHCR
Trucks transporting Afghan nationals, who were expelled from Pakistan, are parked as refugees wait for registration at the Omari refugee camp in Mohmand Dara, Torkham border, Nangarhar province, Afghanistan, April 15, 2025. REUTERS/Hedyatshah Hedayat/File Photo PESHAWAR, Pakistan (Reuters) -Pakistan has started to deport documented Afghan refugees ahead of its deadline for them to leave, according to the United Nations, in a move that could see more than 1 million Afghans expelled from the country. The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees said that it had received reports of arrests and expulsions of legally registered Afghans across the country before Pakistan's September 1 deadline for them to leave. The UNHCR said that sending the Afghans back in this way was a breach of Pakistan's international obligations. "UNHCR is calling on the government to stop the forcible return and adopt a humane approach to ensure voluntary, gradual, and dignified return of Afghans," it said in a statement. The voluntary return of the documented refugees shall commence forthwith, said a Pakistan's interior ministry order seen by Reuters. It said the formal deportation process will start after the deadline. But Qaisar Khan Afridi, a spokesman for the UNHCR, told Reuters on Wednesday that hundreds of legally registered Afghan refugees had already been detained and deported to Afghanistan from August 1 to August 4. The interior ministry did not respond a Reuters request for a comment. More than 1.3 million Afghans hold documentation known as Proof of Registration cards, while 750,000 more have another form of registration known as an Afghan Citizen Card. Many Afghans have been settled in Pakistan since the 1980s, to escape cycles of war in Afghanistan. "Such massive and hasty return could jeopardize the lives and freedom of Afghan refugees, while also risking instability not only in Afghanistan but across the region," UNHRC said. Pakistani authorities have said that Islamabad wants all Afghan nationals to leave except for those who have valid visas. The repatriation drive by Pakistan is part of a campaign called the Illegal Foreigners Repatriation Plan launched in late 2023. Pakistan has in the past blamed militant attacks and crimes on Afghan citizens, who form the largest migrant group in the country. Afghanistan has rejected the accusations, and has termed the repatriations as forced deportation. In addition to the repatriation from Pakistan, Afghanistan also faces a fresh wave of mass deportations from Iran. Aid groups worry that the influx risks further destabilising the country. (Writing by Asif Shahzad; Editing by Kim Coghill)
Express Tribune
6 days ago
- Politics
- Express Tribune
PoR Afghan repatriation set for September
Afghan refugees wait in a queue to cross the Pakistan-Afghanistan border in Torkham on October 27, 2023. PHOTO: AFP The Ministry of Interior on Tuesday issued a formal notification to initiate the return of Afghan nationals holding Proof of Registration (PoR) cards, setting September 1 as the start date for repatriating those who do not opt to return voluntarily. According to the notification, the voluntary repatriation process of PoR cardholders will begin immediately, while the compulsory repatriation of remaining individuals will commence from September 1. The decision was taken during a high-level meeting in view of rising security concerns and pressure on national resources. The notification clarifies that the ongoing repatriation process for Afghan Citizen Card holders will continue as per the earlier decision of the Interim Framework for the Return Process (IFRP). The Ministry of Foreign Affairs will collaborate with relevant international bodies, including the Afghan interim government, the UNHCR and others, to facilitate the return of Afghan refugees. Meanwhile, the Ministry of Kashmir Affairs, Gilgit-Baltistan and Safron will provide complete PoR data to the respective provincial and district-level committees. The National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) will ensure de-registration of returning Afghans at transit areas and border terminals. The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has been tasked with supporting the return process at designated border crossing points. All provincial governments and relevant agencies have been instructed to map all PoR cardholders within their jurisdictions.
Express Tribune
6 days ago
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Afghan card holders to be deported from Sept 1
Police officers, along with workers from the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA), check the identity cards of Afghan citizens during a door-to-door search and verification drive for undocumented Afghan nationals, in an Afghan Camp on the outskirts of Karachi, Pakistan, November 21, 2023. Photo: Reuters Listen to article The interior ministry has initiated a process for the voluntary repatriation of Afghan nationals holding Proof of Registration (PoR) cards, setting September 1 as the starting date for formal deportations, Radio Pakistan reported. The decision was taken during a high-level meeting on Tuesday held under the ongoing Illegal Foreigners Repatriation Plan (IFRP), citing security concerns and the increasing strain on national resources. A notification from the ministry confirmed that registered PoR card holders—whose documents expired on June 30, 2025—will officially be repatriated from next month. The home ministry had previously allowed PoR holders to remain in Pakistan until June 30 as part of an earlier extension, but since then over 1.3 million people have been returned home. Also Read: Govt invites opposition for dialogue on 26th Amendment More than 800,000 Afghans hold an Afghan Citizen Card in Pakistan, according to UN data. Another roughly 1.3 million are formally registered with the Pakistan government and hold a separate Proof of Residence card. In total, Pakistan hosted around 2.8 million Afghan refugees who crossed the border during 40 years of conflict in their homeland. Meanwhile, figures from UN agencies show roughly 1.3 million refugees remain, mostly in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa. Pakistan launched the IFRP in November 2023, initially targeting undocumented immigrants and Afghan Citizen Card holders. Since then, about 1.3 million Afghans have been repatriated, but approximately 1.6 million remain in the country—many hoping for a policy change. Also Read: Dying Delta: Pakistan's Indus sinks and shrinks Afghan refugees have responded with alarm: many own assets or businesses built over decades and fear forced sales at minimal prices should extensions not be granted. Despite legal challenges, including a recent request rejected by the Islamabad High Court for a stay on repatriation of PoR holders, the government has maintained its stance. The court had affirmed the June 30 deadline as per policy. In an effort to ease the pressure, Minister of State Talal Chaudhry hinted at a forthcoming visa policy for foreign nationals, which would provide investment incentives—an opportunity Afghan residents may be eligible for should they choose to remain. International entities, including the UNHCR, IOM, and Amnesty International, have expressed serious concern over the scale and humanitarian impact of the expedited repatriation campaign. Critics warn that forced returns could violate the principle of non-refoulement, imperil vulnerable populations, and destabilise regional security.
