Pakistan resumes forced deportations of Afghan refugees

In early August 2025, Pakistan resumed the forced deportation of Afghan refugees, a significant escalation in immigration enforcement affecting approximately 1.4 million individuals. These deportations came after the federal government's decision not to extend the deadline for Afghan nationals holding expired Proof of Registration (PoR) cards. The deadline had ended in June, leaving many Afghans in legal limbo. Refugees had hoped for an extension to transition back to Afghanistan more easily, but with the decision not to extend the grace period, they now face imminent removal from Pakistan. Pakistani officials have stated that individuals living in the country without valid documentation, such as passports and visas, are considered illegal and subject to deportation under local immigration laws. Authorities indicated that there would not be mass arrests but that police would conduct house-to-house checks to locate and detain undocumented foreigners. This ongoing operation represents the Pakistani government’s most robust movement yet to repatriate Afghan nationals, which reflects a shift in the government’s approach to managing the refugee population that has been residing in Pakistan for decades. Critics, including the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, have decried this strategy of forced expulsion. It is argued that such actions violate international obligations and could potentially exacerbate the already fragile situation in Afghanistan, especially given the political realities following the Taliban's return to power in 2021. Operationally, nearly 1.2 million Afghans have reportedly been forced to return from both Iran and Pakistan within the current year alone, raising concerns about the mass repatriation's stability implications for the region. Local reactions among Afghan refugees highlight deep personal concerns and fears. Many families have lived in Pakistan for generations and are apprehensive about the abrupt transition back to Afghanistan, fearing the loss of education for their children and the overall safety of return. The Pakistani government, while recognizing their long hosting history of Afghan refugees, is now under increasing pressure to enforce its immigration laws, which may possibly lead to a crisis for these individuals who are ill-prepared to return. The consequences for the individuals affected, as well as the potential regional destabilization following these deportations, are significant matters that are demanding global attention.