RASC News Agency: Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, in a high-level government meeting, issued a directive mandating that all Afghanistani Citizen Card (ACC) holders must immediately vacate Islamabad and Rawalpindi and return to Afghanistan alongside undocumented migrants. He emphasized that this measure constitutes the first phase of Pakistan’s broader relocation strategy. During the meeting, which focused on the repatriation of Afghanistani nationals, Sharif outlined new directives underscoring the meticulous enforcement of each phase of the relocation process. Officials further resolved that holders of Proof of Registration (PoR) cards would be subject to a separate assessment.
Pakistani authorities have clarified that while PoR cardholders are permitted to remain in Pakistan until June 30, 2025, they are required to leave Islamabad and Rawalpindi. Additionally, Afghanistani refugees awaiting resettlement in third countries must depart these cities by March 31, 2025. Failure to comply, officials warned, will result in forced repatriation to Afghanistan. The situation has intensified concerns among thousands of Afghanistani nationals currently residing in Islamabad, many of whom are awaiting relocation to Western nations. The majority of these refugees were evacuated by the United States and Germany in the aftermath of the Taliban’s resurgence. However, Washington has suspended its relocation process for these Afghanistani migrants for three months, while Berlin has proceeded at a sluggish pace, leaving many in a state of prolonged limbo.
Pakistan’s escalating deportation efforts have heightened fears among these refugees, plunging them into deeper uncertainty than ever before as they face the looming threat of forced expulsion to Taliban-controlled Afghanistan.
