Have 1.3 Million Afghan Nationals Been Deported from Pakistan Since November?
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Synopsis
In a significant move, Pakistan has repatriated approximately 1.3 million Afghan nationals since November 2023 as part of its campaign against illegal residency. This bold initiative has raised concerns among Afghan families in Pakistan, many of whom have lived there for decades. Discover the implications of this ongoing deportation drive.
Key Takeaways
- 1.3 million Afghan nationals have been deported since November 2023.
- The deportation drive targets illegal Afghan residents and holders of the Afghan Citizen Card.
- A warning was issued to all illegal Afghan nationals before the March 31 deadline.
- Many Afghan families do not wish to return to Afghanistan due to their established lives in Pakistan.
- The situation raises significant humanitarian concerns for families affected by deportation.
Islamabad, May 15 (NationPress) As part of the current initiative to deport illegal aliens and holders of the Afghan Citizen Card (ACC) from Pakistan, the government has successfully repatriated approximately 1.3 million Afghan nationals since November 2023, stated Pakistan's Parliamentary Secretary, Mukhtar Ahmed Malik, during a recent meeting.
The parliamentary committee responsible for overseeing the repatriation effort was informed that the government specifically targeted illegal Afghan nationals residing in the country, offering them a chance to leave voluntarily. Additionally, a concurrent operation was initiated to take action against individuals who remained after the March 31 deadline.
The committee indicated that warnings had been issued to all illegal Afghan nationals that they would face deportation once the deadline expired. Furthermore, the government later expanded its deportation efforts to include Afghan nationals possessing Afghan Citizen Cards (ACC), broadening the scope of the government's expulsion campaign.
Since its inception in 2017, the ACC has granted temporary legal status to Afghan refugees.
According to Mukhtar Ahmed Malik, there are currently at least three million Afghan refugees living in Pakistan. Out of these, 813,000 hold Afghan Citizen Cards (ACC), while 1.3 million possess Proof of Registration (PoR) cards.
“Afghans seeking entry into Pakistan for purposes such as medical treatment, education, or business are welcome, provided they acquire a Pakistani visa and possess valid documentation,” he added.
On the other side, numerous Afghan families in Pakistan are unwilling to return to Afghanistan and are urging the Pakistani government to reconsider their deportation.
“I was born in Pakistan, married in Pakistan, and have children in Pakistan. We are unfamiliar with Afghanistan. My father brought me here when I was just five years old. We have lived here ever since,” shared Rahimullah, an Afghan refugee in Pakistan.
“Now, they want us to leave. I ask them, where would we go and what would our children do there? Do they have a future there? We urge the Pakistani government to reconsider for the sake of our children's future,” he added.
Pakistan has been home to over 2.8 million Afghan refugees for more than 40 years. However, the deportation campaign against Afghan nationals commenced after Islamabad accused the Afghan Taliban interim government in Kabul of supporting cross-border terrorism and anti-Pakistan groups, including the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). As tensions have escalated, Pakistan has made it clear that it will no longer accommodate Afghan nationals within its borders.
Point of View
It is crucial to approach the ongoing deportation of Afghan nationals with a balanced perspective. While the government emphasizes the need for national security, it is equally important to consider the humanitarian implications for individuals and families who have made Pakistan their home for decades. The complexities surrounding this issue warrant thoughtful discourse and a comprehensive examination of both the security and human rights dimensions involved.
NationPress
08/09/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the reason for the deportation of Afghan nationals from Pakistan?
The deportation campaign has been initiated due to concerns about illegal residency and security issues related to cross-border terrorism, particularly attributed to the Afghan Taliban and anti-Pakistan groups.
How many Afghan nationals have been deported so far?
Approximately 1.3 million Afghan nationals have been repatriated from Pakistan since November 2023.
What is the Afghan Citizen Card (ACC)?
The Afghan Citizen Card (ACC) is a document that grants temporary legal status to Afghan refugees in Pakistan, allowing them certain rights and protections.
Are there any Afghan nationals exempt from deportation?
Yes, Afghan nationals seeking entry into Pakistan for medical treatment, education, or business purposes can do so legally with a Pakistani visa and valid documentation.
What are the humanitarian concerns regarding this deportation drive?
Many Afghan families have lived in Pakistan for decades and fear for their future and the well-being of their children if forced to return to Afghanistan.
