Mass deportation of over 1.3 million Afghans imminent, reveals Pakistan's immigration plan
Pakistan Continues Mass Deportations of Afghan Refugees, Raising Humanitarian Concerns
In a move that has sparked controversy and humanitarian concerns, Pakistan is currently executing its third wave of forced deportations of Afghan refugees. The campaign, which began in November 2023, targets approximately 1.3 to 1.4 million Afghan refugees whose legal stay under the Proof of Registration (PoR) cards expired at the end of June 2025.
The Pakistani government's Illegal Foreigners Repatriation Plan, launched in late 2023, aims to remove Afghan nationals without valid passports or visas. The deportations have intensified since early August 2025, with Pakistani authorities enforcing arrests and deportations strictly, declaring the presence of Afghan nationals without valid documents illegal nationwide.
Despite some official arrangements such as travel expenses reimbursed, medical clinics, and temporary housing being set up for deportees at border points, multiple reports indicate harsh treatment, forced evictions, and legal limbo for many Afghans — including those who still hold PoR cards.
The timing of the deportations coincides with political interactions between Pakistan and the Taliban-led Afghan government, as the acting Foreign Minister of Afghanistan was expected to visit Pakistan soon, potentially influencing bilateral talks around migration and security cooperation.
Reasons cited by Pakistan focus on immigration law enforcement, national security concerns, and the desire to reduce the longstanding presence of Afghan refugees who, according to Pakistani authorities, are mostly residing illegally after their permits expired. Pakistan has emphasized that only Afghans with valid visas will be allowed to stay further.
The potential impacts on the humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan are serious. Over 2.1 million Afghans have reportedly returned this year from Pakistan and Iran combined, straining an already collapsed economy in Afghanistan. Aid groups warn that such mass forced returns risk further destabilizing Afghanistan, exacerbating poverty, food insecurity, and social vulnerabilities. Refugees being pushed back often lack shelter, income, and access to basic services in Afghanistan, worsening the humanitarian situation amid ongoing political and economic instability under Taliban rule.
This large-scale forced repatriation represents a critical challenge for the region’s stability and humanitarian situation. The ongoing campaign affects individuals whose United Nations-issued registration cards expired at the end of June and were not renewed by the government. Neighboring Iran is also deporting large numbers of Afghans, and the long-term plans by the government in Islamabad involve the expulsion of three million Afghan nationals.
Critics have warned about the potential implications of the mass return of Afghans to Afghanistan, with some returnees facing persecution by the Taliban. The current influx of Afghans to Pakistan is due to fear of Taliban reprisals.
In summary:
- The third wave of forced deportations is targeting approximately 1.3–1.4 million Afghan refugees whose legal stay under the PoR cards expired at the end of June 2025.
- The deportations are a continuation of the government's policy of deporting both registered and unregistered Afghan refugees.
- The campaign has intensified since early August 2025, with Pakistani authorities enforcing arrests and deportations strictly.
- The deportations occur amid talks between Pakistan and the Taliban-led Afghan government.
- The reasons cited by Pakistan focus on immigration law enforcement, national security concerns, and the desire to reduce the longstanding presence of Afghan refugees.
- The potential impacts on the humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan are serious, with over 2.1 million Afghans having returned this year from Pakistan and Iran combined.
- The ongoing campaign affects individuals whose UN-issued registration cards expired at the end of June and were not renewed by the government.
- Neighboring Iran is also deporting large numbers of Afghans.
- The long-term plans by the government in Islamabad involve the expulsion of three million Afghan nationals.
- Critics have warned about the potential implications of the mass return of Afghans to Afghanistan, with some returnees facing persecution by the Taliban.
- The current influx of Afghans to Pakistan is due to fear of Taliban reprisals.
- This large-scale forced repatriation, as part of Pakistan's ongoing employment policy, is not restricted only to registered Afghan refugees but also includes unregistered ones.
- The escalating tensions due to war-and-conflicts and politics in Afghanistan, particularly with the Taliban-led government, are intertwined with Pakistan's community policy and employment policy, as evidenced by the mass deportations of Afghan refugees.
