PESHAWAR—With just days left before the March 31 deadline, Afghan refugees deportation has entered its final phase, leaving thousands of families uncertain about their future.
While many have begun registering for repatriation, gaps in the Afghan Citizen Card (ACC) system have complicated tracking efforts. The Afghan Commissionerate has revealed that the ACC, issued between 2017 and 2018, lacks detailed address records, making it difficult for authorities to locate cardholders.
The absence of temporary address information has slowed efforts to map Afghan refugees ahead of the deadline. Security agencies have been instructed to accelerate the process, but officials acknowledge the challenge of tracing individuals who have moved from their registered districts. Many Afghan families, who have lived in Pakistan for decades, now find themselves scrambling to vacate rented homes and withdraw their children from schools as Afghan refugees deportation moves forward.
Last-Minute Departures Gain Momentum
In Peshawar and other parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Afghan nationals are queuing up for registration, with reports indicating that over 1,000 families have already signed up for repatriation. Many are now focusing on collecting educational records for their children and liquidating whatever assets they can before their departure.”We have lived here for years, and now we have to leave everything behind,” said an Afghan resident Shakirullah “Many of us don’t even know where we will go once we cross the border.”
He said that though a relative peace has been restored but there is not work opportunities in Afghanistan as decades long war has destroyed the country. Laborers, shopkeepers, and daily wage workers—many of whom have spent most of their lives in Pakistan—are among those making last-minute arrangements. Officials expect a significant number to leave before the deadline, while authorities prepare for a large-scale operation to remove those who remain after March 31. As the deadline nears, the pressure on Afghan families grows, reinforcing the reality of Afghan refugees deportation.
Political Divisions Add to Confusion
Despite the urgency, the response from provincial authorities has been mixed. While the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government has voiced opposition to forced deportations, it has simultaneously facilitated the collection of data on Afghan students and residents. This dual approach has left many Afghan nationals uncertain about their future, with some hoping for a last-minute policy shift.
Officials stress that those leaving Pakistan can return through proper visa channels, but many argue that obtaining visas remains a financial and bureaucratic challenge. With time running out, Afghan families continue to prepare for a departure that, for many, feels more like displacement than a return home.
The unfolding situation highlights the growing complexities surrounding Afghan refugees deportation from Pakistan.
Afghan Refugees in Pakistan: Uncertainty, Fear, and an Uncertain Future
