ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Ministry of Interior on Sunday directed all provincial governments, the Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) administration, and special area governments to immediately arrest Afghan nationals living in Pakistan without valid visas, effective July 10.

In a notification, the ministry instructed all provincial governments, the Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) administration, and the governments of Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir to ensure the immediate arrest of any Afghan national found residing in the country without a valid visa.

The order builds on decisions taken during a June 1 review meeting on the Illegal Foreigners' Repatriation Plan (IFRP), where authorities were directed to accelerate the repatriation and deportation of Afghan nationals, including those who have overstayed their visas.

The ministry directed chief secretaries to issue instructions to deputy commissioners, district administrations, police and other law enforcement agencies to ensure the policy is implemented uniformly across the country.

"With effect from 10th July, 2026, any Afghan national found residing in Pakistan without a valid visa shall be arrested immediately," the notification stated.

According to the notification, chief secretaries have also been asked to submit daily reports to the interior ministry from July 11, detailing the number of undocumented Afghan nationals identified, the action taken against them, and their current status.

Copies of the directive were sent to provincial police chiefs, the Islamabad police, the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA), the National Action Plan coordinator, and other relevant authorities.

Deportation drive

Pakistan has hosted millions of Afghan refugees since the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan in 1979, but launched a displacement drive due to decades of conflict and upheaval.

According to the Global Detention Project, the government launched the Illegal Foreigners' Repatriation Plan (IFRP) in September 2023 to remove undocumented foreigners in three phases: first targeting undocumented migrants, followed by holders of Afghan Citizen Cards (ACCs) and, ultimately, Proof of Registration (PoR) card holders.

The Global Detention Project says that during the first phase of the campaign, more than 468,000 undocumented Afghans returned to Afghanistan.

Nationals

Pakistan to arrest Afghan nationals without valid visas from July 10