PESHAWAR, March 25, 2025 – With the deadline for illegal Afghan nationals to leave Pakistan fast approaching, the Ministry of Interior’s Foreign National Security Cell has formally requested data on students of Afghan origin residing in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP).
The directive, issued in a letter to KP’s interior secretary, underscores the efforts of the federal government to update its dashboard on foreign nationals ahead of the March 31 deadline for deportation.
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Government Seeks Data by March 27
According to the letter, the federal ministry requires the provincial government to provide details of Afghan students by March 27, 2025.
The Government of Pakistan is trying to better monitor foreigners in the country, especially under stricter immigration rules.
Recently, the government denied the request from the Afghan Taliban to allow the Afghans living illegally in cities like Rawalpindi and Islamabad to stay longer. Instead, Pakistan still plans to deport these people by March 31.
Who will be Affected?
- Illegal Afghan Nationals: Those without legal documentation must leave by March 31.
- Afghans with Third-Country Visas: Those who hold valid travel documents for another country can stay until their departure.
- Afghans with Pakistani Visas: They can remain in Pakistan only until their visa expiration date.
Why Is Pakistan Expelling Afghan Nationals?
Government sources cite security concerns and the sensitivity of key cities as primary reasons for expelling Afghan nationals.
Pakistan currently hosts approximately 2.9 million Afghan refugees, including:
- 1.4 million registered refugees
- 0.7 million unregistered individuals
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As Pakistan updates its records of Afghan students, Pakistan aims to enforce immigration laws while also considering humanitarian concerns.
With the March 27 deadline coming soon, provincial authorities are expected to act quickly.
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