UNHCR Condemns Pakistan’s Forced Repatriation Plan Calls for Safe and Voluntary Afghan Refugee Returns

The United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR) has expressed deep concern about Pakistan’s plan to forcibly repatriate Afghan refugees holding Proof of Registration (PoR) cards highlighting significant human rights risks associated with such actions.

The agency is urging that returns be voluntary, safe and conducted with dignity.

Pakistan extended the deadline for voluntary return to Afghanistan to September 1, 2025, allowing a 25-day grace period for Afghan refugees to leave voluntarily.

However after that date those remaining face the threat of arrest and forced deportation. Pakistan is also targeting an additional 800,000 Afghans with Afghan Citizen Cards residing illegally.

UNHCR emphasized that forced deportation of refugees may violate the international principle of non-refoulement which prohibits returning individuals to countries where they face threats to their life or freedomThe agency is actively seeking extension of the validity of PoR cards to protect refugees and facilitate voluntary repatriation under safe conditions.

More than 1.4 million Afghan refugees are registered with UNHCR in Pakistan, many of whom have lived there for decades, integrating into communities with families and businesses.

Forced returns on a large scale risk destabilizing both refugee lives and the fragile situation in Afghanistan, where the Taliban government remains in power.

UNHCR continues to call for dialogue with Pakistani authorities to ensure any returns respect refugees’ rights and are carried out under internationally accepted standards for protection and humanitarian assistance.