By Our Diplomatic Correspondent
ISLAMABAD: The Ministry of Interior on Tuesday announced a significant acceleration in its efforts to repatriate individuals residing illegally within the country.
According to the Ministry, the latest phase of the Illegal Foreigners Repatriation Program (IFRP), which includes the repatriation of Afghan Citizen Card (ACC) holders, began on April 1, 2025. Since that date, a total of 216,103 illegal foreigners have been sent back to their respective countries.
The Ministry stated that this recent surge is part of a broader campaign that started earlier. Since October 2023, a total of 1,102,441 illegal foreigners have been repatriated under the program. Officials emphasized that the campaign is ongoing.
The Ministry reiterated its advice to all illegal foreigners, including Afghan nationals, to leave Pakistan voluntarily. It assured that those returning are being treated with dignity, with special consideration given to women, children, and the elderly. The government also stated that food and healthcare arrangements are being provided for departing individuals.
Alongside the call for voluntary departure, the Ministry issued a stern warning. It stated that anyone obstructing the repatriation process, or found employing illegal foreigners, providing them accommodation (including hotel stays), or conducting business with them, will face strict legal action.
The Ministry’s statement underscores Pakistan’s continued focus on implementing its policy regarding illegal foreign residents.
Earlier, Pakistan ordered all documented Afghan migrants on Friday to leave the country by March 31 or risk deportation. The directive was issued a day after the Afghan Ministry of Refugee and Repatriation Affairs urged Pakistan to slow down the expulsion of Afghans.
Pakistan launched the Illegal Foreigners Repatriation Program in October 2023, after a dramatic rise in violence that Islamabad blamed on militants operating from Afghanistan.
Friday’s order called on those with Afghan Citizen Cards (ACCs) to leave the country in the next three weeks, saying deportation of documented migrants would begin April 1.
“In continuation of the government’s decision to repatriate all illegal foreigners, national leadership has now decided to also repatriate ACC holders,” the ministry said in a brief press release. “All illegal foreigners and ACC holders are advised to leave the country voluntarily before 31 March 2025; thereafter, deportation will commence with effect from 1 April 2025.”
This affects nearly 900,000 documented Afghan economic migrants residing in Pakistan. According to data from the U.N. refugee agency (UNHCR) released Friday, more than 842,000 Afghans have left Pakistan since the expulsion drive began, including more than 40,000 deportees.
“It is highlighted that sufficient time has already been granted for their dignified return,” the Pakistani interior ministry said.
In late January, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s government approved a plan to repatriate ACC holders but did not specify a date.
Pakistan ranks second among countries most affected by terrorism, according to the Global Terrorism Index released this week.
