Pakistan’s government has announced the next phase of its ongoing Illegal Foreigners Repatriation Plan (IFRP), signaling that Afghan refugees holding Proof of Registration (PoR) cards must leave the country by September 1, 2025. The move has drawn sharp concern from the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), which has flagged reports of arrests and detentions following the announcement.
25-Day Grace Period Before Deportation Begins
According to officials, refugees will be given a 25-day grace period, from August 4 to August 31, to voluntarily return to Afghanistan. After that, formal deportation proceedings will begin. The decision comes after Pakistan declined to renew the PoR cards, which were valid until June 30, 2025.
The PoR card system had allowed over 1.3 million Afghan refugees to legally reside in Pakistan, many of whom have lived there for decades after fleeing conflict in Afghanistan. These cards had served as the only legal protection for Afghan refugees without valid visas.
Government Orders Nationwide Crackdown
In a directive dated August 4, Pakistan’s Interior Ministry instructed provincial governments, police, and top bureaucrats to begin implementation of the IFRP. Local authorities were ordered to collect data on all PoR cardholders and coordinate with repatriation committees at the provincial, divisional, and district levels.
The National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) and the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) have been tasked with assisting in the identification and processing of deportees.
UNHCR Issues Warning
The UNHCR expressed deep concern over the move, especially the risk it poses to vulnerable groups like women and children. “Given that those holding PoR cards have been recognized as refugees for decades, their forced return is contrary to Pakistan’s long-standing humanitarian approach to this group,” the agency said in a statement.
The UNHCR is urging Islamabad to ensure all returns are voluntary and conducted with dignity and safety.
Not the First Wave of Deportations
This is not the first time Pakistan has pushed to repatriate Afghan nationals. In 2023, the government began enforcing its repatriation plan, claiming that over 800,000 Afghans have already returned under the IFRP.
As the September 1 deadline nears, international pressure is mounting on Pakistan to reconsider the sweeping deportation and to uphold its commitments to humanitarian protection, particularly for those who have sought refuge in the country for generations.
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