Pakistan has decided to delay the Afghan deportation deadline due to Eidul Fitr holidays. A government official confirmed on Tuesday that the extension was granted as the country observes the end of Ramazan.
Last month, Islamabad had announced that Afghans with specific documents must leave by the end of March. Authorities have now extended the deadline until early next week. The decision was made to accommodate the holiday period. However, the official, who spoke anonymously, did not specify a new exact date.
The move affects thousands of Afghans holding Afghan Citizen Cards (ACC). These documents, issued by Pakistan, are held by around 800,000 Afghans, according to the United Nations. Once the deadline passes, these individuals will be deported to Afghanistan.
Additionally, more than 1.3 million Afghans with Proof of Registration (PoR) cards from the UNHCR face relocation. They will be moved out of Islamabad and Rawalpindi. The UN estimates that nearly three million Afghans live in Pakistan. Many have resided in the country for decades, seeking refuge from war and instability.
Meanwhile, the Taliban government has urged host countries to ensure a respectful process. Afghan Prime Minister Hassan Akhund called for assistance rather than forced expulsion. “We request that Afghans be supported instead of being driven out,” he said in an Eid message. His statement came a day before Pakistan’s original deadline.
