Pakistan Launches Repatriation of 1.3 Million Afghan PoR Holders: A New Chapter in Migration

Pakistan Launches Repatriation of 1.3 Million Afghan PoR Holders: A New Chapter in Migration

The repatriation and deportation of Afghan refugees in Pakistan is set to commence on September 1, 2025, affecting over 1.3 million individuals holding Proof of Registration (PoR) cards. This decision follows a recent announcement from the interior ministry, which declared that PoR cardholders, the last group of Afghans legally residing in Pakistan, have become unlawful residents due to the expiration of their cards on June 30, 2025.

A letter dated August 4 from the interior ministry was addressed to the chief secretaries and police chiefs across the four provinces, including Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir, outlining the implementation of the Illegal Foreigners Repatriation Plan (IFRP). The letter emphasized that voluntary returns for PoR cardholders would begin immediately, while formal repatriation and deportation efforts would start on September 1, 2025.

In addition, the ministry confirmed that the repatriation process for illegal foreign nationals, including holders of Afghan Citizen Cards (ACC), would persist as previously determined under the IFRP. The ministry’s communication included directives for relevant agencies to compile databases of PoR cardholders, enabling a structured approach to repatriation efforts.

  • The National Database and Registration Authority (Nadra) will assist in deregistering returning Afghans at transit points and border terminals.
  • The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) will aid in the repatriation process at designated border crossings.
  • Provincial governments and relevant agencies are urged to map all PoR cardholders and create specific action plans for their repatriation.

The implementation of the IFRP has prompted discussions among local authorities. A recent meeting of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Provincial Steering Committee (PSC) focused on the execution of this plan. The minutes of the meeting revealed several key decisions:

  • District administrations and police are to form teams and engage with Afghan elders to promote voluntary repatriation.
  • Deputy commissioners are tasked with remapping PoR cardholders in their respective areas.
  • The PSC recommended operationalizing the Peshawar and Landi Kotal transit points to full capacity.

Furthermore, the committee suggested that the Commissionerate of Afghan Refugees should de-notify refugee camps that are no longer functioning as intended. The Commissionerate was also asked to provide information regarding the registration categories of individuals still residing in these camps.

Regarding local transit points, the PSC advised that decisions about the deportation of local individuals should involve the relevant deputy commissioner, military authorities, and Nadra’s guidance. This measure aims to ensure that deportation points are designated solely for local cases, with Torkham remaining the primary exit point for Afghans.

In March 2025, official sources indicated that Pakistani authorities had already communicated to their Afghan counterparts that PoR cards would not be extended past June 30, 2025. According to the UNHCR, there were over 1.3 million Afghans living in Pakistan as of that date, with distribution across various provinces:

  • Khyber Pakhtunkhwa: 717,945
  • Balochistan: 326,584
  • Punjab: 195,188
  • Sindh: 75,510
  • Islamabad: 43,154

The issuance of PoR cards began in 2004-05, supported by the UNHCR, and was supplemented by the introduction of Afghan Citizenship Cards (ACC) in 2016 through amendments to the Foreigners Act of 1946.

In light of these developments, the UNHCR has expressed concern regarding Pakistan’s plans to forcibly repatriate Afghan refugees holding PoR cards. The agency recently reported numerous incidents of arrests and detentions involving Afghans across the country, including PoR cardholders.

The UN agency acknowledged Pakistan’s long-standing generosity in hosting refugees for over four decades, despite its own challenges. However, they highlighted that the forced return of PoR cardholders, who have been recognized as refugees for many years, contradicts Pakistan’s humanitarian approach and could violate the principle of non-refoulement.

As the repatriation process unfolds, the international community is closely monitoring the situation, advocating for the rights and safety of Afghan refugees in Pakistan.

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