ISLAMABAD, Pakistan — August 7, 2025 — Pakistan has started deporting registered Afghan refugees, marking a significant shift in its refugee policy. The move, which was confirmed by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), has raised concerns over the safety and future of tens of thousands of Afghan nationals who have sought refuge in Pakistan for decades.
The UNHCR stated that the Pakistani authorities had informed the agency that they were beginning the process of returning registered Afghan refugees to Afghanistan, a decision that comes after months of negotiations and warnings from the Pakistani government.
The deportation program, which focuses on refugees who have been living in Pakistan under a special registration system, was set in motion earlier this week. According to Pakistani officials, the government has faced growing pressure to address the continued presence of Afghan refugees, particularly as security and economic challenges in the region have escalated.
A statement from the Ministry of Interior confirmed that the deportation would initially affect those Afghan nationals who are residing in the country under the “Proof of Registration” (PoR) cards system, which was introduced in 2001 following the fall of the Taliban regime. These refugees have been allowed to live and work in Pakistan with limited rights since their arrival, but the Pakistani government has recently argued that the continued presence of refugees is unsustainable.
The decision to begin deporting refugees has sparked mixed reactions. Human rights organizations, including the UNHCR, have expressed concern over the potential for widespread displacement and insecurity in Afghanistan, where the humanitarian situation remains fragile. The UNHCR, in a statement, urged the Pakistani government to ensure that the deportation process is carried out with full respect for international law, including the principle of non-refoulement, which prohibits the return of refugees to countries where they may face harm.
“While we understand Pakistan’s concerns, we continue to stress the importance of ensuring that any return is voluntary and safe,” said UNHCR spokesperson Shabia Mantoo. “The current situation in Afghanistan remains challenging, and the safety of refugees must be the priority.”
Pakistan, which hosts one of the largest refugee populations in the world, has been grappling with economic and security pressures that have strained its capacity to accommodate Afghan refugees. The government has stated that the return of refugees is part of a broader effort to manage its borders more effectively and address growing public concern over the increasing numbers of Afghan nationals living in Pakistan.
As of now, the process is expected to unfold gradually, with deportations planned over several months. Refugees are being provided with assistance to help them reintegrate into Afghanistan, although the situation there remains unstable, especially in areas where the Taliban still exerts control.
While the Pakistani government maintains that the deportations are necessary for national security, international observers are calling for additional support for the refugees being returned to Afghanistan, particularly in the face of ongoing conflict and economic hardship.