Pakistan intends to expel around 3 million Afghan refugees this year, following a crackdown on illegal foreigners, mainly Afghans, that began in October 2023. The deadline for voluntary departure from the capital and surrounding areas has passed, with arrests and deportations scheduled to begin in April. Over the past 18 months, around 845,000 Afghans have already left Pakistan. The remaining 3 million include those with Proof of Registration cards, Afghan Citizen Cards, and those without any documentation. Pakistan has expressed its commitment to preventing the return of deported Afghans. Afghan Citizen cardholders were required to leave specific areas by March 31, with those bound for third-country resettlement having the same deadline. Deportation will involve a transit station in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. However, concerns have been raised about families with mixed types of documentation and children born in Pakistan to Afghan parents. The Afghan Refugee Ministry has criticized Pakistan’s unilateral decision on expulsions, calling for a mutually agreed mechanism for deportation to maintain dignity. Many like Omaid Khan, who faces deportation but has family members with different types of documents, and Nazir Ahmed, who has never been to Afghanistan and faces uncertainty if forced to leave Pakistan, are appealing for more time to make arrangements.
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