Fact-check: Govt to expel Afghan refugees from Islamabad, Rawalpindi: officials

A notification circulating online claims that the Pakistani government plans to remove all undocumented and legally registered Afghan refugees from the twin cities of Islamabad and Rawalpindi, and deport them back to Afghanistan in a phased manner.

Since the notification surfaced, several online users have raised questions about its authenticity.

The notification is real and has been issued by the Prime Minister's Office.

Claim

A notification, dated January 29, 2025, allegedly issued by the Prime Minister's Office in Islamabad, states that under the directives of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, the following actions will be taken to "relocate" Afghan nationals:

Under phase I, refugees holding the Afghan Citizens Card (ACC) will be "immediately relocated" out of Islamabad and Rawalpindi and repatriated to Afghanistan.

Under phase II, Afghan refugees holding Proof of Registration (PoR) cards will be moved out of Islamabad and Rawalpindi. Their relocation will be handled separately as they have been granted an extension to stay in Pakistan until June 30, 2025, as per a cabinet decision.

While Afghan nationals bound for a third country will also be relocated out of Islamabad and Rawalpindi by March 31, 2025. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs will coordinate with foreign missions for their relocation, and if unsuccessful, they too will be repatriated to Afghanistan.

The notification further specifies that once refugees are deported, efforts will be made to ensure they do not return to Pakistan. No public announcement will be made about the repatriation plan, and intelligence agencies will oversee its implementation.

The alleged notification has been sent to the Ministry of Interior, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the director general of the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI).

Fact

Two officials familiar with the matter have confirmed the authenticity of the notification.

Wasim Akram, the public relations officer to the minister of interior, confirmed to Geo Fact Check over the phone that the letter is genuine. While Muhammad Arshad Munir, head of the press wing at the Prime Minister Office (Public), also confirmed the authenticity of the letter, stating: "The letter is genuine."

However, Shafqat Ali Khan, the spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, told Geo Fact Check that, as per policy, they do not comment on "leaked documents". He added that questions regarding the repatriation of Afghan refugees would be addressed in a press briefing scheduled for later this week.

Background: Pakistan began expelling undocumented Afghan refugees in November 2023, despite criticism from the United Nations and rights groups regarding the forced expulsion of refugees. 

According to the Commissionerate for Afghan Refugees in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan is home to an estimated 3.8 million Afghan nationals, with 1.34 million holding PoR cards and 690,000 holding ACC cards. The remaining refugees lack formal documentation.

PoR cards were first issued in 2007 by the Government of Pakistan through its National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA), while ACC cards were introduced in 2017.

Verdict: The notification is authentic, as confirmed by officials from both the ministry of interior and the Prime Minister's Office.

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