Pakistan has postponed the deadline for Afghan refugees to leave due to Eid al-Fitr, a government official told Bawar Media. The original deadline, set for the end of March, applied to Afghans holding Afghan Citizen Cards (ACC), affecting 800,000 people.
More than 1.3 million Afghans with UN-issued Proof of Registration (PoR) cards are also set to be relocated outside Islamabad and Rawalpindi. Nearly three million Afghans live in Pakistan, many fleeing decades of war or the Taliban’s return to power.
Pakistan accuses Kabul of harboring militants, straining bilateral ties. The Taliban government has called for a “dignified” return, urging host countries not to force Afghans out.
Rights groups condemned Pakistan’s deportation campaign. Human Rights Watch cited “abusive tactics,” warning of persecution and economic hardship in Afghanistan. Amnesty International criticized the removal of Afghans awaiting resettlement abroad.
Since Islamabad’s 2023 ultimatum for undocumented Afghans to leave, over 800,000 have returned, according to UN figures.
Afghan refugees in Pakistan face numerous challenges, fleeing conflict and persecution only to encounter legal restrictions, social stigma, and limited access to resources. Many live in informal settlements, relying on humanitarian aid, with no permanent resettlement solution in sight.
Despite hosting one of the world’s largest refugee populations, Pakistan struggles to provide sustainable support. Collaboration between the Pakistani government and international organizations is crucial to ensuring refugees’ rights, dignity, and long-term stability. Addressing these issues benefits both refugees and regional security.
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