The Pakistani government is set to launch a new phase of forced deportations of Afghan migrants after its deadline for voluntary departure ends on Monday.
According to Pakistani authorities, this third phase will target approximately 1.4 million Afghans registered with the United Nations or holding Proof of Registration (PoR) cards. The country’s Interior Ministry had previously set June 30 as the deadline for voluntary departure.
Human rights activists and Afghan migrants have condemned the move, describing it as a violation of international legal standards and warning of serious humanitarian consequences. “This decision by Pakistan will have devastating effects on the economic, social, and security conditions of returnees,” said Abdul Raziq Adil, a rights advocate. “International human rights organizations must intervene to prevent a looming humanitarian disaster.”
The latest round of deportations follows an earlier phase, launched after March 31, which targeted Afghans holding Afghan Citizen Cards (ACC) and undocumented individuals. That phase slowed following a visit by Pakistan’s foreign minister to Kabul and discussions with Taliban officials over concerns about the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) operating from Afghan soil.
Many Afghan migrants say they have faced mistreatment by Pakistani security forces. Nadia Rezaei, an Afghan living in Pakistan, said she fears returning to Afghanistan. “We have no safe way back,” she said. “If we are deported, the Taliban will detain and torture us. We plead with the international community to intervene.”
Since the start of the deportation campaign in October 2023, Pakistani authorities have expelled nearly one million Afghans in two phases, according to published reports.
Some migrants and observers also allege that the deportation process has become a source of profit for police officers, who are reportedly accepting bribes in exchange for releasing detained individuals.
Human rights organizations have urged Islamabad to halt the deportations and called on the international community to press Pakistan for greater protections of Afghan refugees, many of whom fled conflict and persecution.
