The Afghan Taliban government has urged Pakistan to delay the deportation of Afghan refugees as the deadline for Afghan Citizenship Card (ACC) holders expired on March 31. The Afghan authorities expressed concern over the forced repatriation of thousands of Afghans, emphasizing the need for a humane approach and voluntary return.
Pakistan’s Deadline for Afghan Refugees
Pakistan’s Interior Ministry had announced that all illegal foreigners and ACC holders must leave voluntarily before March 31, 2025. After the deadline, authorities would begin deportation from April 1. Following this decision, strict legal actions were expected against those who remained in the country without proper documentation.
Pakistan currently hosts around 1.52 million registered Afghan refugees and 800,000 Afghan citizens with legal residence permits. Additionally, there are thousands of undocumented Afghans living in the country without formal recognition.
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Afghan Government’s Concerns
Afghanistan’s Minister of Refugees and Repatriation, Mawlavi Abdul Kabir, called on neighboring countries, including Pakistan and Iran, to halt planned deportations. He stressed that Afghans should be allowed to return home voluntarily rather than face forced expulsion.
The Afghan government also raised concerns about reports of mistreatment of refugees at border crossings. There have been instances where even individuals with legal visas were deported, causing distress among Afghan nationals.
Recommendations to Delay Repatriation
Officials in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) have suggested postponing the repatriation process until April 10 due to Eid-ul-Fitr celebrations. A recent meeting of the Provincial Steering Committee on Illegal Foreigners’ Repatriation discussed the challenges of immediate deportation. Participants unanimously recommended delaying the process to ensure a smoother transition for affected individuals.
Despite these recommendations, the Interior Ministry has not confirmed whether it will approve the extension. Refugee camps in Landi Kotal, established to facilitate repatriation, remained closed as of Tuesday, with no visible movement of refugees.
Funding Challenges for Repatriation
The KP government has requested financial assistance from the federal government to manage the repatriation process effectively. However, no confirmation has been given on whether the necessary funds will be allocated. The home department is expected to submit a formal request to the KP chief minister for clarity on the financial aspects of repatriation.
Afghan Officials Seek More Time
Afghanistan’s Acting Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi recently met Pakistan’s Special Representative for Afghanistan, Mohammad Sadiq, in Kabul. He urged Pakistan to reconsider the timeline for deportation, stating that the sudden repatriation of thousands of Afghans could create severe difficulties for the Afghan government.
Ongoing Repatriation Under IFRP
Pakistan launched the Illegal Foreigners Repatriation Program (IFRP) in November 2023. Since then, over 700,000 undocumented Afghans have already left the country. The latest decision extends the policy to ACC holders, making their deportation a priority.
The situation remains uncertain as Afghan authorities continue to press for an extension, while Pakistan moves forward with its repatriation plan. The coming days will determine whether deportations proceed as scheduled or if further delays are granted.
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