Pakistan Pauses Deportation of Afghans with PoR Cards Amid Policy Review

In a significant development, the federal government of Pakistan has issued directives to halt any action against Afghan refugees holding valid Proof of Registration (PoR) cards, providing a temporary shield from the ongoing Deportation of Afghans campaign. The decision, confirmed via an official notification on Friday, indicates that the government is currently reviewing whether to extend the validity of these PoR documents.

The notice comes as a relief to nearly 1.3 million Afghan nationals who hold PoR cards and have been living in Pakistan for years. The document, issued by the government in collaboration with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), offers temporary legal protection to Afghan refugees. For now, authorities have been clearly instructed to avoid any form of harassment or adverse action against these individuals while the matter remains under federal consideration.

Deportation of Afghans Raises Humanitarian Concerns

Pakistan’s deportation drive, launched in November 2023, has already led to the repatriation of around 1.3 million Afghan nationals, many of whom were deemed illegal immigrants or holders of expired Afghan Citizen Cards (ACC). The ACC program, introduced in 2017, offered limited legal recognition to undocumented Afghans but expired earlier this year, prompting the Ministry of Interior to mandate their departure by March 31.

However, the recent directive marks a shift in tone, particularly for those with PoR status, amid mounting criticism from human rights organizations and international observers. According to Parliamentary Secretary Mukhtar Ahmad Malik, Pakistan is re-evaluating its refugee documentation framework as part of a broader overhaul of its immigration strategy.

Future of Afghan Refugees in Limbo

Pakistan remains host to over 2.8 million Afghan refugees, many of whom arrived during various waves of conflict in Afghanistan. The country has long been commended for offering sanctuary, but current economic pressures and security challenges have led to more stringent border policies.

With global attention now fixed on Islamabad’s evolving stance, the fate of these refugees, particularly those without valid documentation, remains uncertain.