In a bold move aimed at enforcing immigration laws, Pakistan has decided to expel approximately 3 million Afghan nationals living within its borders by the end of this year. This decision signifies the culmination of an extensive initiative to remove illegal foreigners from the country, predominantly targeting Afghans residing without proper documentation.
The initiative, which has attracted criticism from human rights organizations, the Taliban regime, and the United Nations, marks a significant phase in Pakistan’s crackdown that began in October 2023. Despite the initial plan to commence arrests and deportations on April 1, the process was postponed to April 10 due to the Eid al-Fitr celebrations marking the conclusion of Ramadan.
Between January 2022 and July 2023, figures from the International Organization for Migration indicate that around 845,000 Afghans have already exited Pakistan. Currently, Pakistani authorities estimate that 3 million Afghans remain in the country. Of these, approximately 1,344,584 individuals possess Proof of Registration cards, while another 807,402 hold Afghan Citizen Cards. Nonetheless, there are still an estimated 1 million Afghans without any formal documentation, residing illegally in Pakistan.
The Pakistani government insists on implementing measures to prevent the return of deported Afghans, aiming for a comprehensive solution. Initially, Afghan Citizen cardholders were given until the end of March to leave the Islamabad and Rawalpindi areas willingly or face forced deportation. Holders of Proof of Registration are allowed a more extended stay, up until June 30, while those planning to resettle in third countries had the same March 31 deadline to leave these specific regions.
Pakistani officials have stated their intentions to collaborate with international diplomatic entities to facilitate the resettlement of Afghans. Should these efforts fall short, deportation will remain the enforced course of action. With the Taliban’s assumption of power in Afghanistan in 2021, tens of thousands of Afghans fled with hopes for resettlement in the United States. These individuals qualified for relocation under a program intended for those endangered due to their affiliations with the American government, media organizations, and humanitarian agencies.
However, the U.S. refugee program experienced a halt under President Donald Trump’s administration, leaving approximately 20,000 Afghans in a precarious standstill. Afghan authorities, under the Taliban rule, have underscored the need for the dignified return of refugees, stressing the importance of structured mechanisms and international cooperation to ensure a humane process.
Abdul Mutalib Haqqani, an official from Afghanistan’s Refugee Ministry, has criticized Pakistan’s unilateral decision-making, which excludes involvement from the U.N. refugee agency or the Afghan government. He expressed concerns over the potential for increased animosity towards Pakistan among Afghans and highlighted the logistical challenges of managing their reintegration.
To aid facilitation of the deportation process, Pakistan is establishing transit stations in the northwestern province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, with one site located in Nasir Bagh and another near the Torkham border in Landi Kotal. Uncertainty looms over the fate of Afghan children born in Pakistan, families composed of Pakistani and Afghan citizens, and Afghan couples with differing documentation.
Omaid Khan, an Afghan Citizen Cardholder with a wife holding Proof of Registration, faces the uncertainty of leaving Pakistan while his family remains until the June deadline. Similarly, Nazir Ahmed, a 21-year-old who has never set foot in Afghanistan, questions his future, given that his ties to the country are limited to his deceased father. He appealed for the Pakistani government to grant additional time to navigate these complex personal situations and secure viable employment before any relocation becomes necessary.