ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s government has ordered all illegal foreigners, including Afghan Citizen Card (ACC)-holders, to leave the country by March 31, warning deportations from April 1.
In a press release issued on Friday, the interior ministry said that the Illegal Foreigners Repatriation Programme (IFRP), announced on 1st November 2023’s, is now being implemented.
“In continuation to the government’s decision to repatriate all illegal foreigners, national leadership has now decided to also repatriate ACC-holders,” the ministry said.
“All illegal foreigners and ACC holders are advised to leave the country voluntarily before 31 March 2025; thereafter, deportation will commence from 1 April 2025,” it said.
The ACC is an identification document issued by NADRA to registered Afghan nationals. According to the UN’s International Organisation for Migration (IOM), it grants temporary legal status to Afghans residing in Pakistan. However, the federal government determines the validity period of the ACC.
The ministry noted that “sufficient time has already been granted for their dignified return.” It emphasised that no one will be maltreated during the repatriation process and arrangements for food and healthcare for returning foreigners have also been put in place.
“Pakistan has been a gracious host and continues to fulfil its commitments and obligations as a responsible state. It is reiterated that individuals staying in Pakistan will have to fulfil all legal formalities and abide by Pakistan’s Constitution,” the ministry said.
Pakistan launched its repatriation programme for foreign nationals, primarily Afghans, in 2023, initially focusing on those without legal documentation.
According to UN data, over 800,000 Afghans in Pakistan hold an Afghan Citizen Card, while approximately 1.3 million are formally registered with the Pakistani government and possess a separate proof of residence card.
In total, Pakistan has hosted around 2.8 million Afghan refugees who fled during four decades of conflict in their homeland.
Among them are tens of thousands of Afghans awaiting resettlement in the United States and other Western nations following their 2021 withdrawal from Afghanistan, due to Taliban’s takeover.
