The Taliban-led Afghan interim government on Tuesday urged Islamabad to halt the deportation of Afghan nationals, following the expiration of the deadline for Afghan Citizenship Card (ACC) holders to voluntarily depart Pakistan.
The UNHCR Representative to Pakistan, Philippa Candler, has confirmed that Pakistan currently hosts 1.52 million registered Afghan refugees and asylum-seekers, along with an estimated 800,000 Afghan citizenship card (ACC) holders and others residing without legal status.
According to a statement from the Afghan government, published by the Bakhtar News Agency on April 1, Pakistan has announced a renewed crackdown, warning that individuals without valid residence permits will face deportation. Even ACC holders remain uncertain about their status.
Afghan Minister of Refugees and Repatriation, Mawlavi Abdul Kabir, has called on neighboring countries—Pakistan and Iran—to halt forced deportations and instead allow Afghans to return voluntarily. He emphasized the need for humane treatment, citing reports of mistreatment at borders, including deportations of individuals holding legal visas.
Eid Delay Requested, But No Official Confirmation Yet
Senior officials in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) have urged the federal government to postpone repatriations until April 10 due to Eid-ul-Fitr holidays. However, the Interior Ministry has not indicated whether it will accept this recommendation.
Local correspondent Jawad Shinwari reported that refugee camps set up in Landi Kotal remain closed, with no movement observed as of Monday afternoon.
Provincial Government Seeks Funding for Repatriation
Minutes from a March 17 meeting of the Provincial Steering Committee on the Illegal Foreigners’ Repatriation Plan (for ACC holders) revealed unanimous agreement to delay deportations until April 10. The meeting, chaired by the Additional Chief Secretary, also discussed funding requirements, noting that since repatriation falls under federal jurisdiction, KP authorities requested financial support for the process.
The Home Department was tasked with submitting a summary to the KP Chief Minister for further clarity. However, neither the KP nor federal government has confirmed whether funding has been secured.
Deportation Deadline Passes, But Enforcement Unclear
On March 6, the Interior Ministry had issued a deadline of March 31 for all illegal foreigners and ACC holders to leave voluntarily, warning that deportations would begin April 1.
State-run Radio Pakistan reported that strict legal action would now be taken against those remaining past the deadline. The Illegal Foreigners Repatriation Program (IFRP), launched in November 2023, has already seen over 700,000 undocumented Afghans return to Afghanistan.
Afghan Officials Seek Extension for ACC Holders
During a March 22 meeting in Kabul, Acting Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi urged Pakistan’s Special Representative for Afghanistan, Mohammad Sadiq, to grant more time to ACC holders before enforcing repatriation.
As the situation unfolds, uncertainty persists for Afghan refugees in Pakistan, particularly those with legal documentation, amid conflicting signals on enforcement timelines.