Pakistan plans to expel 3 million Afghan nationals this year. The deadline for voluntary departure from Islamabad and Rawalpindi expired on March 31. Deportations were set to begin April 1 but are delayed until April 10 due to Eid al-Fitr.
Over the past 18 months, approximately 845,000 Afghans have left Pakistan. Currently, 3 million remain: 1.3 million with Proof of Registration cards, 807,000 with Afghan Citizen Cards, and about 1 million undocumented.
Authorities have instructed Afghan Citizen Card holders to leave Islamabad and Rawalpindi by March 31. Those with Proof of Registration cards have until June 30 to depart. The government aims to prevent deported Afghans from returning.
The Taliban government has criticized Pakistan’s unilateral actions.
