The Ministry of the Interior has launched a process for the voluntary return of Afghan citizens who have proof of registration cards (POR) cards, which will set September 1 as the starting date of formal deportations, Radio Pakistan reported.
The decision was made during a high-level meeting on Tuesday, held during the ongoing illegal foreigners-repatriation plan (IFRP), with reference to security concerns and the increasing burden of national resources.
A message from the ministry confirmed that registered POR card holders – whose documents expired on June 30, 2025 – will officially be repatriated from next month.
The Ministry of Home had previously allowed Por holders to remain in Pakistan until June 30 as part of a previous extension, but since then over 1.3 million people have returned home.
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More than 800,000 Afghans have an Afghan citizen card in Pakistan, according to the UN Data. Another approx. 1.3 million is formally registered with the Pakistani government and has a separate proof of residence card.
In total, Pakistan hosted about 2.8 million Afghan refugees who crossed the border during 40 years of conflict in their homeland.
Meanwhile, figures from UN agencies show approx. 1.3 million refugees left, mostly in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa.
Pakistan launched IFRP in November 2023, originally targeting undocumented immigrants and Afghan citizen card owners. Since then, approx. 1.3 million Afghans have been repatriated, but approx. 1.6 million is back in the country – many hope for a political change.
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Afghan refugees have reacted with alarm: Many own assets or companies built over decades and fear of forced sales at minimal prices if no extensions are to be given.
Despite legal challenges, including a recent request rejected by Islamabad High Court for a stay when returning Por -Holders, the government has maintained its position. The court had confirmed the deadline on June 30 after politics.
In an attempt to facilitate the pressure, the Minister of the State of Talal Chaudhry suggested to an upcoming visa policy for foreign nationals who would provide investment incentives – an opportunity for Afghan residents may be entitled to if they choose to remain.
International units, including UNHCR, IOM and Amnesty International, have expressed serious concern over the scale and the humanitarian effect of the accelerated repatriation campaign. Critics warn that forced returns could violate the principle of non-refoulement, imperil vulnerable populations and destabilize regional security.
