As Pakistans March 31 2025 deadline for Afghan Citizen Card ACC holders to voluntarily leave the country approaches Afghan communities in Peshawar are closing their businesses and preparing for an uncertain future This move is part of a broader national policy aimed at repatriating millions of Afghan nationals a decision that has sparked both domestic and international concern
Business Standard
Background Pakistan’s Repatriation Policy
In October 2023 Pakistan initiated the Illegal Foreigners Repatriation Programme IFRP to deport undocumented foreign nationals primarily targeting Afghans By March 2025 the government extended this policy to include ACC holders setting a firm deadline of March 31 for voluntary departure after which deportations would commence
The Pakistani government estimates that approximately 3 million Afghans remain in the country Of these around 13 million possess Proof of Registration PoR cards and about 800000 hold ACCs The remaining individuals lack official documentation
Impact on Peshawar’s Afghan Community
Peshawar the capital of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa KP province hosts a significant Afghan population many of whom have lived there for decades As the deadline looms Afghan business owners are shutting down operations selling assets and preparing to leave The uncertainty surrounding their future in Afghanistan especially for those who have never lived there adds to the communitys distress
Omaid Khan an ACC holder faces the dilemma of leaving while his wife a PoR cardholder is allowed to stay until June 30 Their two children lack any documentation complicating their situation further
Provincial Response and Local Sentiment
KPs Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur has criticized the federal governments repatriation policy as inhumane and oppressive He stated that the provincial government would decide independently whether to enforce the deportations after the March 31 deadline
Despite this stance reports indicate that the KP government will comply with the federal directive but aims to ensure that repatriations occur voluntarily and with necessary support
The Express Tribune
International and Human Rights Concerns
The repatriation policy has drawn criticism from international organizations Amnesty International has urged Pakistan to reconsider the plan highlighting the potential for exacerbating the hardships faced by Afghan nationals many of whom have lived in Pakistan for decades
The United Nations has also expressed concern emphasizing the need for a dignified and orderly return process The Talibanled Afghan government has called for mutual understanding and coordination to manage the return of refugees effectively.
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Logistical Challenges and Implementation
The federal governments decision has led to confusion among provincial departments due to a lack of clear guidelines As of March 21 2025 relevant authorities in KP had not received official instructions on implementing the repatriation plan leaving them uncertain about their roles and responsibilities
To facilitate the deportations transit stations are being established in Nasir Bagh near Peshawar and in Landi Kotal close to the Torkham border crossing These centers aim to manage the flow of returning Afghans and provide necessary assistance during the transition
Personal Stories Lives in Limbo
Many Afghans in Pakistan face complex situations due to mixed documentation within families Nazir Ahmed born in Quetta to Afghan parents has never been to Afghanistan and fears the prospect of starting anew in an unfamiliar country His plea to the Pakistani government is for more time to prepare for the transition
Such stories underscore the human impact of the repatriation policy highlighting the need for compassionate and coordinated approaches to address the challenges faced by Afghan refugees
Conclusion
As the March 31 deadline approaches Afghan communities in Peshawar and across Pakistan face an uncertain future The governments firm stance on repatriation coupled with logistical challenges and international concerns underscores the complexity of managing such a significant population movement Ensuring a humane and orderly process will require collaboration between federal and provincial authorities international organizations and the Afghan government to address the multifaceted issues at hand