98 Afghan migrants freed from Pakistani prisons, return home

Ninety-eight Afghan migrants were freed from Pakistani prisons and repatriated through the Spin Boldak border crossing.

The Ministry of Refugees and Repatriation announced in a statement the release of 98 Afghan migrants from prisons in Pakistan. According to the ministry’s statement on Saturday, April 26, these individuals were repatriated through the Spin Boldak border crossing.

The statement said that these migrants had been detained across various regions of Pakistan, spending between one to four days in prison. In the past week alone, hundreds of Afghan migrants have been freed from Pakistani jails and returned to Afghanistan.

However, the situation remains dire as the process of deporting illegal Afghan migrants from Pakistan continues. Over 100,000 Afghans have been expelled from Pakistan in less than a month, exacerbating the migrant crisis.

The ongoing repatriation and deportation efforts reflect the strained relations between Afghanistan and Pakistan, particularly regarding the large number of Afghan nationals living in Pakistan.

Human rights organizations have raised concerns about the treatment of migrants, calling for more humanitarian support and protection for those being repatriated.

​Recently, Pakistan has announced that Afghan refugees holding Proof of Registration (PoR) cards can remain in the country until June 30, 2025. This extension applies to approximately 1.45 million registered refugees whose PoR cards had expired on June 30, 2024. The decision was made following discussions between Pakistani officials and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), Filippo Grandi, who visited Pakistan earlier this week .​

The extension provides relief to refugees who were facing uncertainty about their legal status and potential deportation. UNHCR spokesman Qaisar Khan Afridi welcomed the decision, describing it as a “generous gesture” that demonstrates Pakistan’s commitment to the global refugee cause . However, the situation remains complex, as Pakistan continues its efforts to repatriate undocumented Afghan nationals, with over 800,000 having returned since the initiation of the repatriation program.

The extension of PoR card validity is a temporary measure, and the future status of Afghan refugees in Pakistan remains uncertain. The international community continues to monitor the situation closely, urging Pakistan to develop a comprehensive and humane approach to managing its refugee population.

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