Pakistan has deported over 80,000 Afghan citizens since late March, a senior government official confirmed on Friday, as Islamabad moves forward with its campaign of repatriation before the last April 30 deadline.
The campaign is under the nation’s Illegal Foreigners Repatriation Plan, which was initiated in 2023, aimed at repatriating illegal foreign nationals. Afghan nationals without proper documents or those who possess Afghan Citizen Cards had originally been granted until March 31 to return voluntarily. The deadline was subsequently extended by one month.
Interior Ministry adviser Talal Chaudhry reiterated that the deadline of April 30 would not be postponed further. “Only Afghans with valid visas will be permitted to remain in Pakistan,” Chaudhry said at a press conference in Islamabad.
The step follows long-standing frictions between Islamabad and Kabul, where Pakistani authorities have accused Afghan citizens of colluding in security threats and criminal activity. Afghanistan has thoroughly dismissed such claims, terming the expulsions an instance of forced deportation.
Chaudhry spoke on the eve of a critical diplomatic visit to Kabul. Pakistan Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar will head a high-level delegation to the Afghan capital for discussions that are meant to enhance bilateral ties. Security, trade, regional connectivity, and people-to-people exchanges will be discussed, Pakistan’s foreign ministry said.
To make the repatriation easier, Pakistani officials have opened temporary holding facilities in different cities. Afghan citizens are then moved to the Torkham border crossing in northwestern Pakistan for repatriation.
Afghans make up the biggest category of migrants in Pakistan, several of whom had escaped conflict and instability across many decades. Pakistani officials have underscored their pledge to implement the repatriation policy by June 30 as the deadline is near, an indication that undocumented migration will no longer be tolerated in the future.