Pakistan Deports Dozens of Afghan Nationals as Deadline Expires

Pakistani authorities have deported over 90 Afghan nationals in recent days, marking a renewed phase of forced expulsions following the expiration of a March 31 deadline for voluntary departure, Amu TV reported. Many of those deported held Afghan Citizen Cards (ACCs), which were previously considered valid temporary documentation.

The deportations began in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province and are expected to expand nationwide, targeting an estimated 800,000 ACC holders. This campaign follows Pakistan’s earlier efforts to forcibly deport undocumented migrants, primarily Afghans, which began in early 2024. The recent actions resumed after a brief pause during the Eid al-Fitr holidays.

Rights activists and Afghan migrants have condemned these expulsions as inhumane and a violation of international law. Raheel Talash, an Afghan refugee, stated, “Even during Eid, police were detaining and deporting Afghans,” highlighting the ethical concerns surrounding the policy.

Official figures indicate nearly 3 million Afghans reside in Pakistan, with approximately 1.3 million holding Proof of Registration cards, around 800,000 possessing ACCs, and an estimated 1 million lacking legal documentation. The United Nations and various rights groups have urged Pakistan to halt forced returns, citing safety threats for many Afghans under Taliban rule.