The federal government has notified the province that official repatriation and deportation of more than 1.3 million Afghan refugees who hold certificates of registration (POR) cards will begin on September 1, Dawn reports.
The decision follows a July 31 announcement by the Ministry of Home Affairs, where POR cardholders (the last category of Afghans who reside legally in Pakistan without a visa) have become illegal residents after their cards expired on June 30.
A letter from the Ministry of Home Affairs dated August 4, was sent to the top chiefs and police chiefs of four states to Gilgit Baltistan, Azad Jammu and Kashmir to detail the implementation of the ongoing Illegal Foreigner Removal Plan (IFRP).
“It has been decided that voluntary returns of POR cardholders will begin immediately, while the formal repatriation and deportation process will come into effect on September 1, 2025,” the letter states.
Moreover, the ministry said the deportation of illegal foreigners, including Afghanistan Citizen Card (ACC) holders, will continue in accordance with previous decisions under the IFRP.
In the letter, the Kashmir Ministry of Issues, Gilgit Baltistan and Safron were instructed to provide a database of POR cardholders to the State, Department and District Commission. The National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) will help the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FIA) repatriation at designated border intersections and promote deregulation to return Afghans at transport areas and border terminals.
The ministry has also directed the state government and related agencies to map all POR cardholders and devise an action plan for repatriation. It called for designated transport areas for deporters, along with transportation and financial arrangements.
Implementing IFRP
Meanwhile, a meeting of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Provincial Steering Committee (PSC) was held on Monday to discuss the implementation of IFRP. According to the minutes, the committee formed a team in district administration, police and special branches, and directed them to retain Afghan elders and Zirga to encourage voluntary deportation. Additionally, statewide deputies were tasked with remapping POR cardholders.
The PSC has determined that the Nadra and the State Disaster Management Agency (PDMA) need to reestablish Peshawar and Randikotar Transit Points into full operational capabilities.
The forum also recommended that Afghan refugee commissioners deny refugee camps. They requested the committee to provide details on the registration categories and the number of individuals still living in the camp.
Regarding local transport points for deportation, the PSC has made it clear that the relevant vice-chairman should determine the fate of the local deportee, with advice from military authorities and guidance from Nadra. The conference emphasizes that these points will only be used by local exiles, and Torkam remains at the main exit.
Official sources told Dawn that Pakistani authorities had notified Afghan counterparts at the beginning of March this year that the POR card would not be extended by June 30, 2025.
According to UNHCR, as of June 30, 2025, over 1.3 million Afghans lived in Pakistan. Of these, over half (717,945) were in KP, with 326,584 living in Balochistan, 195,188 in Punjab, 75,510 in Sindh and 43,54 in Islamabad.
From 2004 to 2005, the Pakistani government issued POR cards to AFGHAN refugees with the support of UNHCR, and in 2016, the Afghan Citizenship Card (ACC) was introduced through the amendment to the Foreigners Act of 1946.
UNHCR speaks out concerns
Meanwhile, UNHCR expressed concern in a statement about Pakistan’s intention to force a return of Afghan refugees who hold POR cards. “In the past few days, UNHCR has received reports of arrests and detention of Afghans across the country, including POR card holders,” he said.
The UN agency said it acknowledged and appreciated Pakistan’s generosity in hosting refugees for more than 40 years in its own challenges. However, given that those with POR cards have been perceived as refugees for decades, their forced return would violate Pakistan’s long-standing humanitarian approach to this group and constitute a violation of the non-Luhhoenem principles.
rhm/