Pakistan to Repatriate 1.3M Afghan PoR Holders from Sept 1
Pakistan will start repatriating over 1.3 million Afghan nationals holding expired Proof of Registration (PoR) cards from September 1, 2025. The move is part of the country’s expanded Illegal Foreigners Repatriation Plan (IFRP), following the expiry of PoR cards on June 30. These Afghan residents are now considered undocumented under Pakistani law.
Voluntary Exit Phase Begins
The government has started accepting voluntary returns from Afghan nationals wishing to leave Pakistan before formal repatriation begins. Provincial administrations have been directed to facilitate the process and prepare documentation and logistics for deportation operations.
UN Concerns and Humanitarian Risks
The plan has raised alarm among international organizations and human rights groups, who fear the sudden expulsion could lead to a humanitarian crisis. With thousands of families, including women and children, at risk of displacement, critics argue the policy may breach international norms of refugee protection.
Region-Wise Implementation
Authorities have intensified efforts in provinces like Punjab, Sindh, and Balochistan, including detentions and house-to-house checks. In contrast, the implementation in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has been slower due to community resistance and deep cultural ties with Afghan families, many of whom have lived in the region for decades.
Additional Groups Also Affected
Alongside the PoR card holders, around 800,000 Afghan Citizen Card (ACC) holders are now considered undocumented due to expired documentation. Officials have been instructed to extend support at border crossings and transit camps to manage the expected surge in returnees.
Wider Regional Impact
More than 1.2 million Afghans have already returned from Pakistan and Iran this year under similar repatriation plans. Afghan families now face uncertainty, especially regarding their children’s education and stability under Taliban rule. The Taliban government has condemned the move, calling it a violation of human rights.
Analysts believe this large-scale deportation could strain bilateral ties and deepen the regional refugee crisis, especially as Afghanistan continues to face economic and social instability.
