Since April 2025, Pakistan has intensified its deportation campaign, leading to the forced departure of over 200,000 Afghan nationals. This move is part of the Illegal Foreigners Repatriation Program (IFRP), which began in November 2023, targeting undocumented migrants and Afghan Citizen Card (ACC) holders.
The Pakistani government mandated that ACC holders leave by March 31, 2025, with deportations commencing from April 1. In April alone, more than 135,000 Afghans left Pakistan, followed by 67,000 in May, and over 3,000 in the first two days of June.
This mass exodus has raised significant concerns about Afghanistan’s capacity to manage the sudden influx of returnees. The country is already grappling with economic challenges and a fragile humanitarian situation. International organizations warn that the deportations could overwhelm Afghanistan’s reception and reintegration systems.
Iran has also increased expulsions of Afghan nationals, further exacerbating the crisis. The dual pressure from neighboring countries underscores the urgent need for coordinated international support to address the humanitarian implications of these deportations.
