Pakistan Orders Repatriation of Afghan PoR Card Holders

Islamabad – The Government of Pakistan has announced a new phase in its repatriation efforts targeting Afghan nationals holding Proof of Registration (PoR) cards, in a major policy shift outlined by the Ministry of Interior.

According to an official notification issued by the ministry, the voluntary return of PoR cardholders is to begin immediately, while the compulsory repatriation of all remaining Afghan PoR holders will commence from 1 September 2025.

The decision was made during a high-level meeting, citing growing security concerns and increasing pressure on national resources as key reasons. The repatriation of Afghan Citizen Card holders will continue as per the existing framework under the Interim Framework for the Return of Persons (IFRP).

Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs will coordinate with the Afghan interim government, the UN refugee agency (UNHCR), and other international organisations to ensure a smooth and organised return process.

The Ministry of States and Frontier Regions (SAFRON), along with the ministries overseeing Kashmir Affairs and Gilgit-Baltistan, will share relevant data of PoR holders with provincial and district-level committees to assist in local planning and implementation.

The National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) has been instructed to manage the deregistration of returning individuals at transit areas and border terminals, while the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) will facilitate the repatriation process at designated border crossing points.

Provincial governments and other relevant agencies have been directed to complete a comprehensive mapping of PoR cardholders and to formulate provincial action plans, which must be submitted to the Ministry of Interior. Transit areas for deportees will be designated, and transportation and financial assistance will be arranged to support their return.

Committees at both district and provincial levels will be established to oversee implementation, with control rooms being reactivated to monitor developments. A dedicated hotline and complaints cell will also be created to address any grievances arising during the repatriation process.

Progress will be monitored daily through the Foreign National Security Dashboard (FNSD). All stakeholders have been asked to urgently submit updated contact details of their focal persons to the Ministry of Interior. The ministry has appointed its Section Officer (Security) as the central focal person for coordination.

This move marks the latest in a series of steps taken by the Pakistani government to regulate the presence of foreign nationals within its borders, particularly in the context of deteriorating security conditions and strained public services.