According to informed sources cited by Dawn newspaper, the Pakistani government is planning to expel registered Afghan migrants from Islamabad and Rawalpindi and gradually return them to Afghanistan.
Authorities have been instructed to implement this plan discreetly.
A report published on Tuesday revealed that the plan was finalised last week during a series of meetings chaired by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. A source within the Prime Minister’s office disclosed that General Asim Munir, Pakistan’s Chief of Army Staff, attended one of these meetings.
Phased Relocation of Afghan Migrants
In the first phase, Afghan citizens holding an Afghanistan Citizenship Card (ACC) will be immediately expelled from Islamabad and Rawalpindi alongside undocumented migrants. The ACC, issued by Pakistan’s National Database & Registration Authority, grants temporary legal status to Afghans, but its validity is determined by the federal government.
The second phase will focus on Afghans holding Proof of Registration (PoR) cards, which legally allow them to reside anywhere in Pakistan. These individuals will be relocated from Islamabad and Rawalpindi, but they will not be immediately expelled. Sources indicate that PoR cardholders have been granted permission to stay in Pakistan until June.
There are an estimated 1.3 million Afghans in Pakistan with PoR cards and 700,000 with ACC cards.
Expulsion of Afghans Awaiting Resettlement
Meanwhile, Afghan refugees awaiting resettlement in third countries will be expelled from Islamabad and Rawalpindi by 31 March. Sources confirmed that Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs is coordinating with embassies and international organisations to expedite their resettlement process. Afghans who cannot secure placement in a third country will also be sent back to Afghanistan.
Between 10,000 and 15,000 Afghan nationals in Pakistan are currently awaiting resettlement in the United States, according to Dawn. While the exact number of Afghans residing in Islamabad and Rawalpindi remains unclear, relocating them from these cities presents significant logistical challenges, particularly for those who regularly engage with foreign embassies and international aid organisations.
Implementation and Growing Criticism
The Ministry of Interior will oversee the relocation and deportation process, while intelligence agencies will ensure its implementation.
In 2023, Pakistan launched a nationwide campaign to expel millions of Afghans it claims are living illegally within its borders. According to the International Organization for Migration, more than 800,000 Afghan migrants have returned to Afghanistan since 15 September 2023.
Pakistan’s decision to forcibly expel Afghan refugees has drawn widespread criticism both domestically and internationally.
