Islamabad / New York – The United Nations has raised alarm over Pakistan’s early deportation of Afghan refugees, warning that the move could see more than one million Afghans expelled from the country before the official September 1 deadline.
Pakistan’s Ministry of Interior announced on July 31 that Afghan nationals holding Proof of Registration (PoR) cards — the last group allowed to stay without visas — would be considered illegal residents after their cards expired on June 30. The federal government had instructed provinces to begin the repatriation process for more than 1.3 million PoR card holders starting September 1.
However, according to a Reuters report, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) says it has received credible reports of arrests and deportations of legally registered Afghan refugees across Pakistan ahead of schedule.
The UNHCR stated that forced repatriations before the deadline would breach Pakistan’s international commitments. It has urged Islamabad to halt deportations and ensure that Afghan returns are voluntary, gradual, and conducted with dignity.
