Pakistan’s Interior Ministry has directed provincial authorities to arrest Afghan nationals living in the country without valid visas starting July 10, 2026. This step is part of the ongoing Illegal Foreigners’ Repatriation Plan (IFRP).
The ministry sent a notification to chief secretaries of all provinces, Gilgit-Baltistan, Azad Jammu and Kashmir, and the Islamabad Capital Territory. It follows a review meeting held on June 1. Officials have been asked to coordinate with district administrations and police to take strict action. Daily reports on arrests and progress must be sent to the ministry from July 11.
Pakistan has hosted millions of Afghans for decades, many fleeing wars. After the Taliban returned to power in 2021, more arrived. The deportation drive began in 2023. Since then, over two million Afghans have returned or been deported.
In 2025 alone, Pakistan sent back more than 1.15 million, including registered card holders, undocumented people, and voluntary returnees. Returns continued in 2026, with nearly 150,000 Afghans going back from Pakistan and Iran by mid-February.
The government links the policy to national security, immigration control, and economic concerns. However, international organizations like the UNHCR have raised worries about the effects on families, women, and children returning to difficult conditions in Afghanistan. Some Pakistani courts have also called for proper legal processes in detentions.
