Pakistan plans to expel 3 million Afghans from the country this year, as a deadline for them to voluntarily leave the capital and surrounding areas expired on Monday. This is part of a crackdown on foreigners living in Pakistan illegally, mostly Afghans, which began in October 2023. The campaign has faced criticism from rights groups, the Taliban government, and the United Nations.
Arrests and deportations were supposed to begin on Tuesday but have been delayed until April 10 due to the Eid al-Fitr holidays. About 845,000 Afghans have already left Pakistan in the past 18 months, while 3 million are still in the country. Some hold Proof of Registration cards, Afghan Citizen Cards, or have no paperwork at all.
Authorities want Afghan Citizen cardholders to leave Islamabad and Rawalpindi by March 31, while those with Proof of Registration can stay until June 30. Afghans bound for resettlement in third countries must also leave by March 31. Officials have stated that they will work with foreign diplomatic missions for resettlement, and those who do not comply will be deported.
However, the Refugee Ministry of Afghanistan has criticized Pakistan for making arbitrary decisions without involving the U.N. or the Taliban government. Concerns have also been raised about the fate of children born in Pakistan to Afghan parents, couples with different document types, and families with mixed citizenship. Some Afghans like Omaid Khan and Nazir Ahmed, both of whom have different documents, are uncertain about their future and appeal to the Pakistani government for more time to figure out their options.
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