Pakistan to Close 16 Afghanistani Refugee Camps across 3 Provinces

DID Press: Pakistan has decided to close 16 refugee camps across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Balochistan, and Punjab provinces amid ongoing deportation of Afghanistani refugees.

According to official notices issued on September 25, 2025, by the Ministry of States and Frontier Regions, copies of which obtained by Dawn newspaper, denotified camps are located in Haripur, Chitral, and Upper Dir in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa; Chagai, Loralai, Qila Saifullah, Pishin, and Quetta in Balochistan; and Mianwali in Punjab.

Meanwhile, Ali Amin Khan Gandapur, Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, has repeatedly said that his administration will not forcibly repatriate refugees.

UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has expressed concern over Pakistan’s decision.

“Many of those affected are Afghanistani refugees who have lived in these areas for years and are deeply worried about the impact of this decision on their lives,” said Qaiser Khan Afridi, UNHCR spokesperson in Pakistan, on Saturday.

Pakistan began repatriating Afghanistani refugees in 2023, citing security concerns and strained relations with the Taliban-led government. Authorities argue that the war in Afghanistan has ended and refugees should return home.

According to UNHCR data, as of June 30, 2025, more than 1.3 million Afghanistan citizens were residing in Pakistan — with 717,945 in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, 326,584 in Balochistan, 195,188 in Punjab, 75,510 in Sindh, and 43,154 in Islamabad.

These refugees previously held Proof of Registration (PoR) cards, but their validity expired on June 31 of this year.