Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif Sets Deadline for Afghan Refugee Relocation

Dive Right Into

Key Takeaways

Pakistan sets March 31, 2025, as the deadline for Afghan nationals awaiting third-country resettlement to leave or face expulsion.
Over 40,000 Afghans remain, including 15,000 awaiting U.S. program resettlement, stalled by the U.S. Refugee Admission Program suspension.
Over 824,000 undocumented Afghans deported since 2023; POR cardholders can stay until June 30, 2025, pending extension decisions.

Pakistan has issued a firm deadline for Western nations, particularly the United States, to relocate Afghan nationals awaiting resettlement. If the March 31, 2025, deadline isn’t met, Pakistan plans to expel thousands of Afghans currently residing within its borders. This ultimatum reflects the country’s mounting concerns over its capacity to manage a growing and complex refugee population.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s government spearheaded this decision, citing the overwhelming burden posed by an estimated three million Afghan refugees. This number includes documented refugees, economic migrants, undocumented individuals, and those preparing for relocation to third countries. The issue has intensified since the Taliban regained control of Afghanistan in August 2021. Many Afghans have crossed into Pakistan, fearing retribution due to their affiliations with U.S. and NATO forces.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif Sets Deadline for Afghan Refugee Relocation

Repatriation Plans and Deadlines

Following a high-level meeting led by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, the government mapped out a phased strategy to address the situation. By March 31, 2025, Afghan nationals awaiting resettlement to other countries must leave Islamabad, Pakistan’s capital, and the neighboring city of Rawalpindi. Pakistani authorities insist that coordination with foreign embassies and international organizations is essential to meet this deadline. If the relocation timeline is not achieved, these individuals face repatriation to Afghanistan.

According to Shafqat Ali Khan, spokesperson for Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, around 80,000 Afghans have already been relocated to other nations. However, an estimated 40,000 remain in the country, with 15,000 awaiting the green light for resettlement under U.S. programs. Despite Pakistan’s efforts to streamline this process, significant obstacles remain.

The primary hurdle is tied to changes in U.S. policy. In January 2025, the administration of President Donald Trump suspended the U.S. Refugee Admission Program. This move, framed as a temporary pause to evaluate the program’s role in U.S. interests, has effectively slowed down the pathway for Afghan allies seeking refuge. The delay adds to the already cumbersome process, leaving thousands of Afghans stranded in Pakistan.

Crackdown on Migrants Without Proper Documents

Pakistan’s plan to manage Afghan refugees doesn’t stop with those eligible for third-country resettlement. Prime Minister Sharif has also mandated immediate deportation for legal Afghan migrants without valid residential documentation. According to official data, over 800,000 Afghans hold the Afghan Citizen Card (ACC), which grants them legal status in Pakistan. However, following the Sharif administration’s directive, even some legal migrants may face repatriation.

These actions are part of a broader effort that began in 2023, targeting undocumented foreign nationals residing in Pakistan. More than 800,000 undocumented Afghans have been expelled since late 2023 as part of a crackdown on individuals without the required visas or permits.

Amid these measures, however, exceptions have been made for Afghans formally recognized by the United Nations as refugees. Over one million Afghans carry the UN-issued Proof of Registration (POR) card, allowing them to stay in Pakistan until at least June 30, 2025. Yet, the fate of these individuals remains uncertain as the deadline for POR extension approaches.

Complexities of a Return to Afghanistan

While Pakistan aims to enforce stricter border controls, the situation is complicated by the challenges Afghans face if they return home. Many refugees still in Pakistan fled Afghanistan during decades of war and political unrest. For families who left during the Taliban’s earlier rule—spanning the period between 1996 and 2001—returning to Afghanistan is daunting. Many younger Afghan refugees were born or raised in Pakistan and feel disconnected from their homeland.

The ongoing humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan compounds these challenges. Decades of war and natural disasters, combined with severe economic troubles since the Taliban’s return to power, have created dire conditions. Aid organizations estimate that over half of Afghanistan’s population now depends on humanitarian assistance to sustain their basic needs.

Adding to the difficulty is the Taliban’s hardline governance, particularly its impact on Afghan women and girls. Taliban laws enforce sharp restrictions on women’s access to education, work, and public life, discouraging families from considering a return. These barriers have pushed many refugees to advocate for continued residence in Pakistan or resettlement in countries that offer greater protections.

Concerns from the Afghan Embassy

The Afghan embassy in Islamabad has raised alarms over Pakistan’s tough stance. In a public statement on February 19, 2025, the embassy warned of impending mass deportations of Afghan nationals, including many residing in Islamabad and Rawalpindi. It also alleged that police have been arresting Afghan refugees and pressuring them to leave the cities.

According to the embassy, these actions were implemented without prior notification or consultation. Afghan officials expressed unease about Pakistan’s unilateral approach, labeling the set timeline as “too short” and the decision-making process as “one-sided.” Advocacy groups working on behalf of Afghan migrants have echoed these concerns, underscoring the vulnerability of Afghans caught in bureaucratic uncertainty.

Groups are urging Pakistan to allow individuals still in the relocation pipeline to remain in Islamabad until the Trump administration issues a final decision about reinstating the U.S. Refugee Admission Program.

Rising Deportation Numbers

The International Organization for Migration (IOM) has documented an increase in Afghan deportations over recent months. Data from January 2025 reveals a 13% rise in the number of Afghans returning to Afghanistan compared to earlier weeks. Since 2023, over 824,000 Afghans have reportedly gone back to their home country.

Despite these resettlement efforts, many of these returnees face significant risks. Economic collapse and political instability in Afghanistan continue to jeopardize their well-being. In many regions, local governance remains unpredictable, exposing returnees to inconsistencies in access to food, security, and healthcare.

International Focus and Challenges

Pakistan has worked closely with Western nations to expedite resettlement timelines, but the current pace is struggling to keep up with the demands. The pause of the U.S. Refugee Admission Program has created a bottleneck for over 20,000 Afghans, leaving them in legal limbo. Shafqat Ali Khan, representing Pakistan’s foreign ministry, made a pointed statement: “This resettlement problem can’t be indefinite. So, for us, the Afghans who are here, awaiting resettlement also has to be a transitory phase. This is not a permanent thing.”

Prime Minister Sharif’s government argues that Pakistan can no longer act as a holding ground for Afghan refugees. Officials insist the urgency stems from security, economic, and social pressures that make indefinite accommodation untenable.

However, deportation efforts have brought criticism from human rights organizations, especially given Afghanistan’s volatile state and the Taliban’s repressive policies. The conditions make it clear why families hesitate to leave, even under the threat of removal.

The Road Ahead

As the March 31, 2025, deadline looms closer, international and domestic actors are monitoring the situation. Pakistan’s ultimatum places tremendous pressure on Western nations, particularly the United States, to accelerate their processes for Afghan ally resettlement. At the same time, the Trump administration’s decision to halt the U.S. Refugee Admission Program complicates efforts.

This complex situation leaves Afghan refugees in a precarious position. Many are stuck between an unwelcoming host country, resettlement delays, and the dangers of returning home. With the window of opportunity narrowing, swift action from Western governments remains critical.

For further official updates on refugee programs such as the U.S. Refugee Admission Program, readers can refer to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). As reported by VisaVerge.com, expedited measures are essential to meet the looming deadlines and address one of the most pressing humanitarian concerns in recent years.

Learn Today

Resettlement → The process of relocating refugees from one country to another, often to provide permanent safety and support.
Repatriation → Returning individuals to their country of origin, typically after conflicts or asylum in another country.
Undocumented Individuals → People residing in a country without legal documentation, such as visas, permits, or official registration.
Humanitarian Assistance → Aid provided to meet basic needs like food, shelter, and healthcare in crises or emergencies.
Refugee Admission Program → A governmental initiative that allows refugees to enter a country for resettlement and protection.

This Article in a Nutshell

Pakistan has set a March 31, 2025, deadline for Western nations, including the U.S., to relocate Afghan refugees. Overwhelmed by hosting millions, Pakistan warns of mass deportations if resettlement stalls. Stranded amid resettlement delays and Afghanistan’s instability, Afghan refugees face a precarious future. Swift international action is critical to resolve this crisis.
— By VisaVerge.com