ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Ministry of Interior has issued a directive asking all illegal foreigners and Afghan Citizen Card (ACC) holders to leave the country by March 31, 2025.
A person failing to follow this order will be deported starting from April 1. The order has been made within the ambit of the Illegal Foreigners Repatriation Program (IFRP), which came into effect on November 1, 2023.
The ministry reiterated that adequate time had been provided for a dignified return, with no mistreatment whatsoever to take place during the repatriation. Food and medical arrangements are also being made for returning foreigners.
Therefore, Pakistan has upheld its honor by hosting millions of Afghans who fled several decades of conflicts.
As per UNHCR reports, there are about 1.5 million Afghan refugees and asylum-seekers, alongside over 1.5 million Afghans of different legal status currently in Pakistan.
The proposal to expel Afghan nationals possessing Proof of Registration (PoR) cards came up for discussion and was approved in a high-profile meeting held on February 25.
Nonetheless, registered Afghans can return to Pakistan through the appropriate channels by obtaining visas.
