Pakistan has expelled over 80,000 Afghan nationals since the end of March, a senior official said on Friday, as part of a repatriation drive ahead of the April 30 deadline.
Afghan nationals who have no legal documents to stay or those holding Afghan Citizen Cards had been warned by Islamabad to return home or face deportation by March 31, a deadline which was then extended to April 30.
"The April 30 deadline is final," Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry said at a press conference in Islamabad, stressing that only Afghans with valid visas would be allowed to stay in Pakistan.
He said the federal government has decided—and all provincial governments have been informed—that effective immediately, anyone who rents out a house, shop, or any property to an undocumented individual will also be held accountable.
Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhary addresses a press conference in Islamabad on April 18, 2025.Courtesy: Interior Ministry
Chaudhry clarified that any individual with valid legal documents, regardless of nationality, is eligible for employment. “Business dealings, property transactions, job opportunities, or rentals can only involve people who possess legal documentation. Pakistani citizens are only permitted to engage in such dealings with those who hold valid papers,” he added.
The minister added that an Afghan delegation recently visited the Ministry of Interior for detailed discussions on the matter. He said Pakistan is moving toward a "one-document regime," and in this second phase, Afghan Citizen Card holders are also being repatriated.
“Pakistan has shown hospitality to Afghan brothers and sisters for over 40 years,” Chaudhry said, “but now, staying in the country without a passport is no longer allowed.”
He noted that Western and friendly countries have raised concerns about the misuse of undocumented individuals within Pakistan.
He stressed that anyone wishing to enter Pakistan for business or medical treatment must obtain a visa. “No one will be allowed entry without a visa,” he said.
Chaudhry also stated that there will be no extension to the deadline for the evacuation of undocumented foreigners. “No foreigner will be allowed to remain in Pakistan without a visa after April 30,” he added.
The government will take action against those who provide housing, jobs, or commercial space to Afghans residing in Pakistan without legal status.
The repatriation drive is part of a campaign called the Illegal Foreigners Repatriation Plan launched in late 2023.
Pakistan has in the past blamed militant attacks and crimes on Afghan citizens, who form the largest migrant group in the country. Afghanistan has rejected the accusations, and has termed the repatriation as forced deportation.
Chaudhry was speaking just a day before Pakistan's Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar is scheduled to lead a high-powered delegation for talks in Kabul.
"The talks will cover the entire gamut of the Pakistan-Afghan relationship, focusing on ways and means to deepen cooperation in all areas of mutual interests, including security, trade, connectivity, and people-to-people ties," a foreign office statement said.
Pakistani authorities say they have set up temporary centers in various cities to house the Afghan nationals before transporting them to the Torkham border crossing in northwest Pakistan.
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