Why it matters:
Islamabad attributes rising crime rates and security threats to Afghan refugees, citing intelligence reports that link insurgents from Afghanistan to terrorist activities in Pakistan. The government insists that Pakistan can no longer afford to bear the economic and security burden of hosting millions of Afghan nationals.
The big picture:
Since the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan in 2021, millions of Afghans have fled to Pakistan, making it—along with Iran—the largest host country for Afghan refugees. Pakistan officially recognizes 2 million documented refugees with proof of registration and Afghan Citizen Cards, but estimates suggest that around 4 million unregistered Afghan refugees also reside in the country.
Key points:
- Pakistan has finalized its decision to deport all Afghan refugees.
- Even those with legal residency permits will no longer be allowed to stay.
- Refugees must voluntarily leave by March 31, 2025, after which forced deportations will begin.
- As of March 6, 2025, Pakistan has already expelled 868,871 undocumented Afghan refugees.
Go deeper:
Pakistan has launched nationwide operations to identify and deport unregistered Afghan refugees, despite repeated calls from the Taliban-led Afghan government to follow international norms and avoid mass expulsions. Meanwhile, tensions have escalated along the border, fueled by Pakistan’s claims that Afghan militants are involved in attacks on its soil.
Mojtaba Darabi
