Pak repatriates approx 1.3 mn Afghan refugees since Nov 2023

Overview of Deportation Campaign​

The Pakistan government announced that approximately 1.3 million Afghan refugees have been repatriated since the deportation campaign began in November 2023. Parliamentary Secretary Mukhtar Ahmad Malik provided this update during an interview with the state-run Associated Press of Pakistan news agency. The effort forms part of a broader push to manage undocumented migration and ensure compliance with legal residency requirements.

Refugee Population and Documentation​

According to official figures, around 3 million Afghan refugees currently reside in Pakistan. These individuals fall into two main categories of legal documentation:

• Afghan Citizen Card (ACC) holders: 813,000 refugees possess the ACC, a document introduced in 2017 to grant temporary legal status.
• Proof of Registration (PoR) cardholders: 1.3 million refugees have PoR cards, which prove their registration with Pakistani authorities.

Hundreds of thousands more are believed to be living without any formal documentation, making them subject to deportation under the government’s current policy framework.

Phased Implementation and Timeline​

The repatriation drive initially targeted foreigners without any legal documentation. ACC holders and other documented refugees were slated for later phases. The interior ministry issued a deadline of March 31 for all “illegal foreigners” and ACC holders to leave voluntarily. From April 1 onwards, authorities began systematic deportations of Afghan nationals across the country.

Malik emphasized that this phased approach prioritized removing undocumented individuals before extending repatriation measures to those holding temporary legal status. The campaign reflects Pakistan’s longstanding role as host to millions of Afghans who fled conflict over the past four decades.

Implications for Afghan Refugees​

This large-scale repatriation effort marks a significant development in Pakistan’s migration policy. By focusing first on undocumented migrants, the government seeks to streamline its population records and address security concerns. The inclusion of ACC and PoR holders in subsequent phases underscores the comprehensive nature of the drive, which may have lasting social and economic impacts on refugee communities and host regions alike.