Deadline for Afghan Refugee Cards Expired: 1 Million Afghans Worried About Economic Losses and Future

Islamabad: Over 1 million Afghan refugees are now in a state of uncertainty after the expiration of their Proof of Registration (POR) cards last month. The refugees, who have built substantial assets in Pakistan over the past five decades, are concerned about the potential economic losses they might face if they are forced to sell these assets at a fraction of their value.
Although the return of illegal foreign nationals has been slow, Afghan refugees fear that if their POR cards are not extended, they could be forced to sell valuable properties at extremely low prices.
In November 2023, Pakistani authorities decided to expel all illegal foreign nationals, including Afghan refugees, due to security and economic concerns. According to the United Nations, Pakistan has already deported 1.3 million Afghans, with approximately 1.6 million still residing in the country. Among them, over 1 million refugees hold POR cards, but their validity expired on June 30, 2025.
Officials handling this matter have stated that the government is considering two options: either to extend the refugees’ cards temporarily or offer them long-term visas. However, no decision on the extension has been made yet, though the government is working on a new visa policy for foreign nationals.
Minister of State for Interior, Chaudhry Talal, shared with The Express Tribune that the new visa policy will provide incentives for foreign investment in Pakistan, which Afghan citizens could also benefit from. The matter of extending POR cards was also discussed in the federal cabinet but no final decision was made.
The Center for Research and Security Studies (CRSS) is advocating for a permanent solution to the issue, urging that refugees who arrived in Pakistan after 1979 should not be forced to sell their assets at low prices and should continue to contribute positively to the local economy.
Ahmad Shah, a tribal businessman from the region, mentioned that the Dostokhail tribe alone holds assets worth approximately 52 billion rupees in the form of movable and immovable properties, which are registered under other names in Peshawar. Shah also highlighted that his tribe contributed over 14 billion rupees or $51 million in remittances last year. If the government decides to expel all Afghan refugees, these refugees might have to sell their assets at throwaway prices.
After several rounds of behind-the-scenes discussions, Beyond Boundaries—a key initiative addressing Afghan refugees’ issues—has recommended simplifying the visa process for Afghan-origin traders and providing them with housing to enable them to invest in Pakistan’s economy.