ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has announced a deadline for thousands of Afghan nationals awaiting relocation to Western countries, including the United States. By March 31, 2025, these migrants must leave Pakistan. If they do not secure resettlement by this date, they will face deportation back to Afghanistan, according to a directive issued by the Pakistani Prime Minister’s Office.
The document outlines a multi-phase relocation plan for Afghan migrants residing in Islamabad and Rawalpindi. This plan includes those awaiting resettlement in third countries. Under Phase I, authorities will immediately relocate Afghan Citizen Card (ACC) holders, along with undocumented Afghans, and send them back to Afghanistan.
Details of the Relocation Plan
The directive states that authorities will repatriate Afghan Citizen Cardholders in Islamabad and Rawalpindi among the first. The government aims to streamline their departure as part of the initial phase of the relocation plan. Additionally, authorities will relocate Proof of Registration (POR) cardholders, who have received an extension to remain in Pakistan until June 30, 2025, out of the capital but will allow them to stay elsewhere in Pakistan for now.
The directive stresses that Afghan nationals awaiting relocation to third countries must leave Islamabad and Rawalpindi by the March 31 deadline. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is responsible for coordinating with foreign embassies to expedite these relocations. If arrangements for resettlement are not made by the deadline, these individuals will also be repatriated to Afghanistan.
Implementation and Oversight
The directive, which Pakistan’s Prime Minister signed, highlights that officials will not make any public announcements regarding the deportation plans. Authorities must ensure that those repatriated do not return to Pakistan. Intelligence agencies, including the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) and the Intelligence Bureau (IB), are tasked with monitoring the implementation of the relocation plan and providing regular updates to the Prime Minister’s Office.
The Context of Afghan Migration
Pakistan has hosted millions of Afghan migrants for decades. Many fled to Pakistan after the Taliban regained power in 2021.Officials estimate that over 800,000 documented migrants hold Afghan Citizen Cards. Thousands more are undocumented.
Since late 2023, Pakistani authorities have significantly intensified their crackdown on undocumented migrants, implementing stricter enforcement measures and increasing surveillance efforts to identify and deport individuals living in the country without legal status.
They have expelled over 800,000 Afghans. This strict enforcement complicates the resettlement of approximately 15,000 Afghans who are awaiting relocation to the United States. These individuals were part of the evacuation and resettlement efforts that followed the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021.
Impact of US Policy Changes
The situation is further complicated by the recent suspension of the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP) announced by the Trump administration last month. This pause has delayed the resettlement process, leaving thousands of Afghan migrants in a state of uncertainty. Many are now in limbo, anxiously awaiting news about their future.
In summary, Pakistan’s deadline for Afghan migrants adds urgency to an already complex and challenging situation. As the deadline approaches, the fate of many Afghans seeking safety in third countries remains uncertain. The Pakistani government’s relocation plan aims to address the needs of Afghan migrants, but it also highlights the precariousness of their circumstances as they navigate resettlement amid changing policies and heightened scrutiny.
