Pakistan sets March 31 deadline for illegal foreigners, Afghan cardholders to leave

Pakistan's government has announced that all illegal foreigners and Afghan Citizen Card (ACC) holders must leave the country by March 31, 2025, or face deportation starting April 1.

The Ministry of Interior said in a statement on Friday that the Illegal Foreigners Repatriation Program (IFRP), which began on November 1, 2023, is being implemented as part of the government's decision to repatriate all illegal residents.

“Sufficient time has already been granted for their dignified return,” the statement said, emphasizing that no one will be mistreated during the process. Authorities have made arrangements for food and healthcare for returning foreigners.

"While Pakistan has done what it could, we expect interim Afghan authorities to create conducive conditions in Afghanistan, so that these returnees are fully integrated in the Afghan society," the statement further said.

Pakistan has hosted millions of refugees for decades, particularly from neighboring Afghanistan. The government reaffirmed its commitment to fulfilling its obligations as a responsible state but stressed that all individuals remaining in the country must comply with legal requirements and abide by the Constitution.

The repatriation drive marks a significant shift in Pakistan’s immigration policy, with authorities urging affected individuals to leave voluntarily before forced deportations begin.

In October 2023, Pakistan announced phase one of the “Illegal Foreigners’ Repatri­ation Plan” with a 30-day deadline for “undocumented” individuals to leave the country or be ready to face action.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, last year, raised with the UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi the matter of backlog of Afghans awaiting relocation, as well as the large numbers of refugees who have arrived with no plans for onward travel.

Afghans make up the largest portion of migrants, many of whom came after the Taliban took over Kabul in 2021, but a large number have been present since the 1979 Soviet invasion of Afghanistan.

According to the latest UN figures, some 1.3 million Afghans enjoy the status of registered refugees, while another 880,000 have legal status to stay in Pakistan. UNHCR report states that close to 600,000 Afghans have returned back to their homeland following the announcement of the Repatriation Program.

Officials claim that around 700,000 Afghans seeking asylum have trickled into Pakistan since the Taliban takeover nearly three years ago. However, only 75,000 have so far moved to other countries.