PESHAWAR, Pakistan (AP) – In a significant shift in policy, Pakistan is set to expel approximately 3 million Afghan nationals this year following the expiration of a deadline for voluntary departure from the capital and surrounding regions. This decision marks a new phase in a nationwide crackdown on illegal foreign residents, predominantly targeting Afghans, which commenced in October 2023.
The expulsion campaign has faced criticism from various rights organizations, the Taliban government, and the United Nations. Authorities initially planned to commence arrests and deportations on April 1; however, these actions have been postponed to April 10 to accommodate the Eid al-Fitr holidays, which celebrate the conclusion of Ramadan, as indicated by government documents accessed by the Associated Press.
According to the International Organization for Migration, approximately 845,000 Afghans have left Pakistan in the last 18 months. Pakistan's government claims that around 3 million Afghans remain within its borders, of which 1,344,584 possess Proof of Registration cards, while 807,402 hold Afghan Citizen Cards. Additionally, there are an estimated 1 million Afghans without any documentation, living in the country illegally.
To ensure that deported Afghans do not return, Pakistani officials have stipulated that those holding Afghan Citizen Cards must leave Islamabad and Rawalpindi by March 31, or face deportation. In contrast, individuals with Proof of Registration can remain until June 30. Moreover, Afghans seeking resettlement in a third country are also required to vacate the capital and Rawalpindi by the end of March.
The Pakistani government has pledged to collaborate with foreign diplomatic missions to facilitate the resettlement of Afghans, with the alternative being their deportation. Many Afghans are fleeing due to the Taliban's takeover in 2021, and those who subsequently worked with the U.S. government or humanitarian organizations have been eligible for resettlement in the United States. However, following President Donald Trump’s decision to pause U.S. refugee programs in January, around 20,000 Afghans find themselves in limbo regarding their future.
The Taliban has expressed a desire for Afghan refugees to return with dignity. Abdul Mutalib Haqqani, spokesperson for Afghanistan’s Refugee Ministry, criticized Pakistan for making unilateral expulsion decisions without engaging the UN refugee agency or the Taliban government. He emphasized that expelling refugees in this manner is not beneficial for either party, as it may exacerbate negative sentiments towards Pakistan. Haqqani advocated for a more coordinated approach to manage the return of Afghans.
To facilitate the deportation process, two transit stations are being established in the northwestern province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa: one in Nasir Bagh, a suburb of Peshawar, and another in Landi Kotal, approximately 7 kilometers from the Torkham border crossing with Afghanistan.
Concerns have emerged regarding the future of Afghans with varying documentation status, including children born in Pakistan to Afghan parents and couples with different types of identification. While Pakistani officials have indicated that social welfare staff will be available to assist with such cases, uncertainty still looms large over the fate of these individuals.
Omaid Khan, 30, holds an Afghan Citizen Card, while his wife possesses Proof of Registration. Under current policies, he must leave Pakistan, but his wife can stay until June 30. Their children have no documentation, creating additional complexities for the family. Similarly, 21-year-old Nazir Ahmed, born in Quetta, Pakistan, has never been to Afghanistan and has no connections to the country beyond his deceased father. Both individuals have voiced their concerns about the challenges they face upon potential return to Afghanistan and have appealed for more time to prepare for their uncertain futures.
