Pakistan’s Interior Ministry has called on all undocumented foreign nationals to voluntarily leave the country, warning that failure to do so will result in stricter enforcement and legal action.
The warning comes as Islamabad intensifies its campaign to deport individuals residing in the country without valid legal documents. The new phase of the repatriation effort that began on April 1, 2025, includes Afghan Citizen Cards holders too.
Since the beginning of this phase, the Pakistani government says it has repatriated more than 216,000 undocumented foreign nationals. In total, authorities report that 1,102,441 individuals have been deported since the crackdown began in October 2023.
The Interior Ministry has described the effort as part of a broader nationwide initiative to regulate the presence of foreign nationals and maintain control over the country’s borders.
Officials emphasized that those returning are treated with “dignity,” with special considerations given to women, children, and the elderly. The government also pledged to provide food, shelter, and basic medical services during the deportation process.
In a statement accompanying the update, the ministry issued a firm warning to Pakistani citizens and organizations: anyone found providing housing, employment, or commercial services to undocumented migrants will face legal consequences.
The policy has drawn concern from human rights groups, particularly over the pace of deportations and the lack of a formalized asylum process for vulnerable populations, including those fleeing conflict in neighboring Afghanistan.
