The embassy of the interim government in Islamabad has announced that Pakistani officials have stated that the government of this country has decided to immediately expel all Afghan migrants, including holders of “ASIC” and “POR” cards, from the cities of Islamabad and Rawalpindi and soon from all over Pakistan.
In a statement released today (Wednesday, February 19), the embassy said: “Officials from the Pakistani Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed that the plan to expel all Afghan migrants from Islamabad and Rawalpindi, as well as from all over Pakistan in the near future, is definitive and final.”
The statement noted that the officials of this embassy expressed their serious concerns about the expulsion of all migrants in such a short period and Pakistan’s unilateral decision during meetings with Pakistani officials and international organizations.
The embassy emphasized: “This matter has also been shared with Kabul to conduct necessary discussions regarding the dignified return of compatriots and the existing challenges in this regard.”
At least two sources among migrants in Islamabad have told the media outlet Gowharshad that currently, arrests and house searches for the expulsion of Afghan citizens from the cities of Islamabad and Rawalpindi are ongoing.
The Embassy of Afghanistan in Islamabad has also stated that this process has begun unannounced, and United Nations agencies are not aware of it.
The statement quoted Pakistani officials as saying that this is an official decision of the Pakistani government, and from now on, only Afghans with legal visas will be allowed to reside in Islamabad and Rawalpindi.
Recently, the Commission for Afghan Refugees in Pakistan (CCAR) announced that 2.9 million Afghan citizens are present in Pakistan, of which 1.4 million are registered and 0.7 million are unregistered.
Previously, Pakistani media reported that 1.45 million Afghan migrants in Pakistan hold POR cards, which will be valid until June 30, 2025.
The “POR” card is a vital identity document issued to registered Afghan refugees.
In addition to this card, another 800,000 individuals hold “Afghan Citizenship” identification cards.
Since late 2023, Pakistan has begun expelling Afghan migrants.
