Grace Period Ends As Afghan Refugees Leave Pakistan In Record Numbers

The repatriation of Afghan refugees from Pakistan has accelerated as the government's grace period officially ended on Saturday. Large numbers of families, including holders of Proof of Registration (PoR) and Afghan Citizen Cards (ACC), have crossed the border into Afghanistan in recent weeks.

According to official and UNHCR data, since April 2025, more than 349,000 Afghans have returned home through various border points. Of these, around 15,400 were PoR card holders, accounting for 46 percent of the total returnees. The number of PoR card holders going back rose sharply in August, when they made up nearly 57 percent of all returnees.

On a single day last week at the Torkham border, authorities reported the return of 273 ACC card holders, 213 PoR card holders, and over 1,070 undocumented Afghans. Another group of PoR card holders crossed through Angoor Ada, bringing the total PoR returns that day to 214.

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Pakistan has hosted Afghan refugees for more than four decades, with over 1.4 million PoR card holders and 800,000 ACC card holders registered in the country. However, with the expiry of PoR cards on June 30, 2025, the government announced a one-month grace period from August 4 to August 31 for voluntary repatriation.

While officials describe the process as“dignified,” humanitarian organizations have voiced concerns over the challenges faced by returnees, including access to shelter, education, and livelihoods in Afghanistan. Families making the journey expressed mixed emotions, relief at reuniting with relatives, but also deep anxiety about the uncertain conditions awaiting them.

Authorities say the return process will continue in the coming weeks, but after the deadline, those remaining without valid documents risk deportation.

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