For hundreds of thousands of Afghan refugees, Pakistan is the only home they have ever known. But from April 1, they face forced deportation, leaving behind decades of memories, businesses, and relationships. The government crackdown on Afghan nationals has intensified, with nearly 850,000 Afghans expelled between September 2023 and February 2025.
A Lifetime in Pakistan, Now Uncertain Future
Mohammad Laal Khan, 36, has lived in Islamabad since the early 1990s. His parents fled Afghanistan during the Soviet invasion, seeking safety in Pakistan’s tribal areas. Over the years, his family built a life in the country. His children were born here, his brother was buried here, and his community exists within Pakistan’s borders.
Yet, a police raid in November 2024 shattered their sense of security. Officers stormed his home in the middle of the night, threatening to arrest all the men. Despite their pleas, four of his brothers were taken away, accused of staying in the country illegally. Though a court granted them bail two weeks later, the ordeal left them shaken.
Now, Khan and his family—along with thousands of others—are on Pakistan’s deportation list.
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Afghan Citizenship Cards No Longer Enough
The Afghan Citizenship Card (ACC), issued by the Pakistani government, was once a recognized identification document for Afghan nationals living in the country. However, in recent years, authorities have stopped honoring these cards, making deportation a real threat for those who hold them.
Families who have spent decades in Pakistan now have no choice but to leave, despite having no ties to Afghanistan. Many refugees have never even visited the country they are being sent back to.
“This Is Our Home”
Khan, like many others, refuses to accept that he does not belong in Pakistan.
“We don’t know anything about Afghanistan,” he says. “We have lived here all our lives, made friends here, and built our businesses here. If the government insists on throwing us out, we will leave, but we will return once again.”
For these Afghan refugees, Pakistan is more than a place of refuge—it is home. Their forced removal raises humanitarian concerns, as many will struggle to rebuild their lives in a country they have never known.
As the April 1 deadline passes, thousands of families remain uncertain about their future. Some are preparing to leave, while others are holding onto the hope that the government might reconsider its decision. The fate of Afghan refugees in Pakistan remains a pressing issue, as the world watches how the situation unfolds.
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