Pakistan's Ministry of Interior has ordered all "illegal foreign nationals" and holders of Afghan Citizen Cards (ACC) to leave the country by March 31 of this year.

The ministry has also warned that if these foreign nationals fail to leave voluntarily, the process of expelling them will begin on April 1.

This announcement comes amid an increasing number of Afghan refugees being deported from Pakistan in recent months, further straining relations between Kabul and Islamabad.

A statement from Pakistan’s Ministry of Interior reads: "All illegal foreigners and ACC holders are advised to leave the country voluntarily before 31 March 2025; thereafter, deportation will commence ... 1 April 2025.”

Many Afghan refugees in Pakistan face severe challenges, including a lack of legal documentation, restrictions on employment and education, sudden arrests, and forced deportations.
Malik Mujahid, an Afghan refugee in Pakistan, told TOLOnews: "Many Afghan refugees have their livelihoods here, and there are no job opportunities for them back in Afghanistan. Additionally, when refugees are deported, their children's education is disrupted."

Another Afghan refugee, Mosoom, expressed concern, saying: "The government has announced that deportations will begin after March 31, including for ACC holders. This should not happen, as Afghan refugees are already facing serious difficulties."

Meanwhile, the Consul General of the Islamic Emirate in Pakistan has announced the release of 12 Afghan refugees from prisons in Sindh province. He confirmed that the freed individuals have been transferred to Afghanistan through the Spin Boldak crossing.

Abdul Jabbar Takhari, the Consul General of the Islamic Emirate in Pakistan, stated: "Twelve Afghan detainees have been released from various prisons in Sindh province due to efforts by the Islamic Emirate’s consulate. They have returned to Afghanistan via Chaman at the expense of the Islamic Emirate."

According to official statistics, over 6,000 Afghan refugee families have returned from Pakistan, Iran, and Turkey in the past two months.

Abdul Mutalib Haqqani, spokesperson for the Ministry of Refugees and Repatriation, said: "In the first two months of this year, January and February, more than 6,000 families have returned from neighboring countries."

Despite returning home, Afghan refugees continue to face significant hardships, including unemployment and a lack of proper housing.