Confirmation of the Finalized Plan to Expel Afghan Migrants from Pakistan by the Country’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Weezha Roz-Pakistan–The Embassy of Afghanistan in Islamabad has officially announced that officials from Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs have confirmed the final and definitive plan for the expulsion of all Afghan migrants from Islamabad and Rawalpindi, and eventually from across Pakistan.
According to this decision, only Afghans with legal residence visas will be permitted to remain in these areas.
The expulsion process has begun in Islamabad and Rawalpindi and will gradually extend to other parts of Pakistan.
Those included in the expulsion plan are even individuals holding ACC (Temporary Registration) and PoR (Official Refugee) cards.
The Embassy of Afghanistan has expressed its concern over the rapid and inhumane pace of this process in multiple meetings with Pakistani officials and international organizations like UNHCR.
The issue has also been raised with the Kabul government to address the challenges of “dignified” return for the migrants.
Reports have also emerged regarding human rights violations, including arbitrary detentions, house searches, and extortion from migrants even with valid documents.
Calls for intervention from human rights organizations and the United Nations to immediately halt the process have been made.
Approximately 1.45 million Afghans with PoR cards and hundreds of thousands without documents are living in Pakistan.
In January 2025 alone, 18,577 individuals were returned to Afghanistan through border crossings.
Poverty, unemployment, lack of shelter, and basic services are placing returnees at risk of compounded crises.
UNHCR has described Pakistan’s decision as “concerning” and warned that widespread expulsions could lead to a humanitarian disaster.
The International Organization for Migration (IOM) has reported a 13% increase in forced returns over the past two weeks.
Amnesty International has called for an immediate halt to expulsions and for the protection of refugee rights.
Pakistani officials justify the move as in accordance with domestic laws and for “security reasons.”
Analysts believe that Islamabad is using the expulsion of migrants as a lever to exert pressure in its relations with the Islamic Emirate and the international community.
In 2024, over 600,000 Afghans were expelled from Pakistan.
This decision has not only disrupted the lives of millions of Afghans but has also intensified diplomatic tensions and the humanitarian crisis.
Although trilateral meetings between Afghanistan, Pakistan, and UNHCR have been planned, the lack of transparency in enforcing the laws and the unilateral speed of action diminish hope for resolving the issue.
The final outcome of this crisis depends on international cooperation and pressure to find sustainable and humane solutions.
Weezha Roz
