Pakistan to Close 16 Afghan Refugee Camps Amid Repatriation Drive

Pakistan to Close 16 Afghan Refugee Camps Amid Repatriation Drive
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Pakistan has announced plans to shut down 16 Afghan refugee camps across the provinces of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Balochistan, and Punjab as part of its ongoing effort to repatriate Afghan migrants, according to Amu TV.

The closures are part of a government program initiated on September 1 to facilitate the return of over 1.3 million Afghans holding Proof of Registration (PoR) cards. The affected camps were originally established in the early 1980s to host Afghans fleeing the Soviet invasion.

Camps slated for closure include facilities in Haripur, Chitral, and Upper Dir in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, as well as sites in Balochistan and Punjab.

While local officials in some areas maintain that no Afghan will be forcibly returned, the U.N. refugee agency (UNHCR) has expressed concern, stressing that repatriation must be voluntary, gradual, safe, and dignified. UNHCR also emphasized that individuals requiring international protection must be safeguarded against forced returns.

Refugees have also reported facing significant practical difficulties, including a doubling of transport costs for household goods and a shortage of available trucks, which complicates their ability to leave the camps voluntarily. As of June 2025, over 1.3 million registered Afghan refugees remained in Pakistan.