Pakistan orders Afghan citizen card holders, illegal foreigners to leave by March 31
Deportation will commence on April 1, says Interior Ministry
ISTANBUL
Pakistan on Friday ordered Afghan Citizen Card (ACC) holders and illegal foreigners to leave the country by March 31.
According to a statement by the Interior Ministry, the government announced its decision to repatriate ACC holders, urging them to leave Pakistan by March 31, 2025, noting that Islamabad will start deportations on April 1, 2025.
The statement underscored that ample time has already been provided for their respectful return, noting that no one will be mistreated during the repatriation process.
“Pakistan has been a gracious host and continues to fulfill its commitments and obligations as a responsible state. It is reiterated that individuals staying in Pakistan will have to fulfill all legal formalities and abide by Pakistan’s constitution,” the statement concluded.
"Since November 2023 to October 2024, so far 757,008 undocumented Afghans were sent back to Afghanistan," Pakistan's Foreign Ministry said in November last year, adding that the figure also included those who returned voluntarily.
Pakistan started its crackdown on all foreigners illegally staying in the country, citing a rise in militant attacks. Islamabad says anti-Pakistan terrorist groups have been provided sanctuary in Afghanistan, who have stepped up attacks against Pakistani security forces and civilians.
The interim Taliban administration in Afghanistan, however, denies allegations that such attacks are launched from its soil.
Soon after Islamabad announced its plans to deport "illegal Afghans," the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UHHCR) had urged Pakistan to continue its protection of all vulnerable refugees who have sought safety in the South Asian country.
“Afghanistan is going through a severe humanitarian crisis with several human rights challenges, particularly for women and girls,” a joint statement by the UNHCR and the International Organization for Migration had said.
According to UN figures, some 1.3 million Afghans enjoy the status of registered refugees in Pakistan, while another 880,000 have legal status to stay.
