...

Logo Yotel Air CDG
in partnership with
Logo Nextory

Pakistan resumes forced expulsions of 1.4 million Afghan refugees despite UN concerns

• Aug 4, 2025, 6:48 PM
8 min de lecture
1

Authorities in Pakistan have resumed the forced deportations of Afghan refugees after the federal government declined to extend a deadline for their stay, officials said on Monday.

The decision affects approximately 1.4 million Afghans holding Proof of Registration (PoR) cards, whose legal status expired at the end of June.

Many had hoped for a one-year extension to settle personal affairs, such as selling property or concluding business, before returning to Afghanistan.

In addition to PoR card holders, around 800,000 Afghans hold Afghan Citizen Cards.

Police say they also are living in the country illegally and being detained prior to deportations in the eastern Punjab, southwestern Balochistan and southern Sindh province.

Repatriated Afghan refugees arrive at a camp after crossing the Pakistan-Afghanistan border in Torkham, 31 May, 2025
Repatriated Afghan refugees arrive at a camp after crossing the Pakistan-Afghanistan border in Torkham, 31 May, 2025 AP Photo

Monday's decision drew criticism from the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), the UN refugee agency.

At least 1.2 million Afghan nationals have been forced to return from Iran and Pakistan this year, according to a June report published by UNHCR.

Repatriations on such a massive scale have the potential to destabilise the fragile situation in Afghanistan, where the Taliban government came into power in 2021.

A 31 July government notification confirmed Pakistan’s decision to repatriate all Afghan nationals holding expired PoR cards.

It states Afghans without valid passports and Pakistani visas are in the country illegally and must return to their homeland under local immigration laws.

Police across Pakistan are detaining Afghans to transport them to border crossings, according to two government and security officials who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorised to speak publicly.

A Taliban fighter stands on a hill overlooking a camp housing Afghan refugees who have been repatriated from Pakistan in Torkham, 31 May, 2025
A Taliban fighter stands on a hill overlooking a camp housing Afghan refugees who have been repatriated from Pakistan in Torkham, 31 May, 2025 AP Photo

They said there are no mass arrests and police were told to go to house-to-house and make random checks to detain foreigners living in the country illegally.

"Yes, the Afghan refugees living in Pakistan illegally are being sent back in a dignified way," said Shakeel Khan, commissioner for Afghan refugees in north-western Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.

The latest operation is the most significant step yet under orders from federal government in Islamabad, he said.

Afghan national Rehmat Ullah, 35, said his family migrated to Pakistan's north-western Peshawar city decades ago and now is preparing to return home.

"I have five children and my concern is that they will miss their education," he said. "I was born here, my children were born here and now we are going back."

Millions have fled to Pakistan over the past four decades to escape war, political unrest and economic hardship in Afghanistan.

The renewed deportation drive follows a nationwide crackdown launched in 2023 targeting foreigners living illegally in Pakistan.

The Interior Ministry, which oversees the campaign, did not immediately comment.

Afghan refugees prepare to go home from a transit station setup to facilitate Afghan refugees' deportations in Chaman, 9 April, 2025
Afghan refugees prepare to go home from a transit station setup to facilitate Afghan refugees' deportations in Chaman, 9 April, 2025 AP Photo

Qaiser Khan Afridi, a spokesperson for the UN refugee agency, expressed deep concern over the government's actions.

"Sending people back in this manner is tantamount to refoulement and a breach of a state’s international obligations," Afridi said in a statement, urging Pakistan to adopt a "humane approach to ensure voluntary, gradual, and dignified return of Afghans."

"Such massive and hasty return could jeopardise the lives and freedom of Afghan refugees, while also risking instability not only in Afghanistan but across the region."


Today

Lebanon tells army to prepare plan to disarm Hezbollah by end of the year
• 9:45 AM
7 min
Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam is under growing pressure from the US to ensure that the Iran-aligned militant group lays down its weapons.<div class="small-12 column text-center article__button"><a href="https://www.euronews.com/2025/08/06/lebanon-te
Read the article
Hundreds protest nuclear weapons at Hiroshima ceremony
• 9:24 AM
1 min
Demonstrators gathered near the Atomic Bomb Dome in Hiroshima on Wednesday, despite authorities’ requests to leave, as the city marked the 80th anniversary of the atomic bombing.<div class="small-12 column text-center article__button"><a href="https://www
Read the article
France arrests man who lit cigarette from war memorial flame in Paris
• 8:17 AM
2 min
A video posted on social media shows a man lighting a cigarette from the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Paris before calmly walking away.<div class="small-12 column text-center article__button"><a href="https://www.euronews.com/2025/08/06/france-arrests-m
Read the article
Latest news bulletin | August 6th, 2025 – Morning
• 5:00 AM
1 min
Catch up with the most important stories from around Europe and beyond this August 6th, 2025 - latest news, breaking news, World, Business, Entertainment, Politics, Culture, Travel.<div class="small-12 column text-center article__button"><a href="https://
Read the article
RFK Jr announces halt to $500 million in federal vaccine development funding
• 4:46 AM
6 min
US Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr says the administration is focusing on coming up with a universal vaccine, replacing mRNA technologies and overcoming their limitations.<div class="small-12 column text-center article__button"><a href="https://www.
Read the article
Hiroshima marks 80th anniversary since US atomic bombing of the city
• 4:01 AM
6 min
Japan held a memorial service and ceremony for victims and the remaining survivors of the US atomic bombing of Hiroshima, marking its 80th anniversary and renewing pledges of working towards a world without nuclear weapons.<div class="small-12 column text
Read the article
UN Security Council meets to discuss Israel-Hamas war and Gaza hostage situation
• 3:22 AM
7 min
Members of the UN Security Council offered their sympathy to Israeli hostages after a video showing an emaciated captive was released by Hamas, but called on Israel to end its self-created humanitarian catastrophe and allow more aid to enter the besieged
Read the article