Pakistan will start deportation from September 1; Over 1.3 million Afghan refugees to be expelled

The government has clarified that those whose POR cards have expired will now be considered illegal residents. Such people will no longer be allowed to live in Pakistan.

Islamabad: The Pakistan government has announced that the process of formal return and deportation of more than 1.3 million (1.3 million) Afghan refugees living in the country will start from September 1, 2025. These refugees are those who have Proof of Registration (POR) cards, but these cards expired on June 30. The government has clarified that those whose POR cards have expired will now be considered illegal residents. Such people will no longer be allowed to live in Pakistan.

What is the government's plan?

The Ministry of Home Affairs of Pakistan has issued a letter informing all the provincial governments, police officers and concerned agencies about this scheme. This scheme is being called 'Repatriation of Illegal Foreigners Scheme (IFRP)'. All of them will be expelled under this scheme. Voluntary return - that is, refugees can return voluntarily from now on. There is no restriction for this. Formal deportation- Refugees who did not return voluntarily will be sent back from September 1. Impact on ACC cardholders too- The process of return of those who have Afghan Citizen Cards (ACC) is already underway and will continue.

Which agencies have been assigned what work?

For this, the Gilgit-Baltistan Ministry and Saffron Department have been ordered to give the data of all POR cardholders to the districts. At the same time, the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) will deregister the returning refugees. This process will be completed at the border terminals. The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) will help in the deportation process at the border. Along with this, the provincial governments will map all POR cardholders in their respective areas. Transit areas will be created from where refugees will be sent. Vehicles, financial assistance will also have to be arranged for travel.

Special meeting in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK)

The KPK Provincial Steering Committee met on Monday. Deputy commissioners of the districts, police and special branch were ordered to organize 'Jirga' with the elders of the Afghan community to encourage voluntary return. Re-survey the POR card holders present in the district. At the same time, NADRA and Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) have been instructed to restart the old transit points of Peshawar and Landi Kotal at full capacity.

Will refugee camps be closed?

The committee has suggested that the refugee camps which are no longer useful should be notified and closed. For this, the Afghan Refugee Commissionerate has been asked to provide information about all categories and people living in the camps.