45 minutes to pack up a lifetime as Pakistan’s foreigner crackdown sends Afghans scrambling

Islamabad/Kabul — June 12, 2025:
Across Pakistan, Afghan refugees are facing heartbreaking choices as authorities intensify a nationwide crackdown on undocumented foreigners. In many cases, families are getting as little as 45 minutes to leave homes they’ve built over decades.

Forced to Flee with No Warning

In Karachi, 53-year-old Abdul Qadir stood helpless as officers gave him just three-quarters of an hour to leave the house he had lived in for 30 years. He fled Afghanistan during the civil war in the 1990s and rebuilt his life in Pakistan.

“They said, ‘Pack whatever you can in 45 minutes. After that, we’re taking you to the border,’” he recalled. “What do you save when your entire life is in this house?”

Authorities are going door to door in neighborhoods with large Afghan populations, ordering residents to vacate immediately. Many don’t even have time to gather identity papers, medicine, or cash.

Deportation Campaign Gains Speed

Since late 2023, the Pakistani government has launched a campaign to remove foreigners living illegally in the country. While the directive applies to all undocumented individuals, Afghan nationals are bearing the brunt.

Officials estimate that over 800,000 Afghans are living without proper documentation. Authorities have set up deportation centers near border crossings such as Torkham and Chaman, where thousands line up daily to return to a country many barely remember.

Interior Ministry spokespersons claim that they gave migrants multiple deadlines and public notices before starting removals. “We followed a transparent process. Everyone had enough time to leave on their own,” one official stated.

However, on-the-ground experiences tell a different story.

Human Rights Concerns Mount

Human rights organizations are raising serious concerns about how the crackdown is unfolding. Many Afghans hold refugee cards or have asylum cases pending with the United Nations.

“Pakistan has hosted refugees for decades, but these recent actions violate basic human rights,” said Hina Jalani, a Lahore-based legal advocate. “The government is uprooting families without due process.”

Both Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch have urged Pakistan to stop deportations, especially of vulnerable groups such as women, children, and older people. The UNHCR has also appealed for more time to process refugee claims and arrange safe returns.

Personal Losses and Financial Ruin

Families are losing everything—homes, businesses, and community ties. Fatima Bibi, a widow from Peshawar, ran a small tailoring shop to support her five children. Last week, police forced her to shut it down overnight.

“They didn’t care. My sewing machine, fabric, money—everything is gone,” she said. “Now I’m heading to a place I haven’t seen since I was a child.”

Others are worried about their life savings. Because Afghan banks are under international sanctions, many people can’t transfer money back home. Some have even lost entire investments due to sudden eviction.

Politics Behind the Push

Analysts believe domestic politics are driving the policy shift. With Pakistan facing rising inflation, unemployment, and insecurity, public frustration with migrants has grown. Political leaders have capitalized on this sentiment, linking refugees to crime and job loss.

Relations between Islamabad and the Taliban-led Afghan government have also worsened. Pakistan accuses Kabul of harboring militants responsible for attacks inside Pakistani territory.

In return, the Taliban has condemned Pakistan’s deportation policy, calling it “unjust” and “inhumane.” Meanwhile, experts warn that the forced returns could further destabilize Afghanistan, which already faces an economic crisis and widespread hunger.

Living in Fear and Uncertainty

At the Torkham border, chaos reigns. Families wait for hours under the sun, clutching what little they managed to carry. Children cry as parents look for transportation or food.

Amina, 22, was born in Quetta. She has never seen Afghanistan. “We had a life here. I went to school here. Now I’m being sent to a place I don’t even know,” she said tearfully.

Aid organizations in Afghanistan are overwhelmed. The sudden influx of returnees has strained already limited resources. Many refugees are sleeping in tents or on bare ground, with little access to food or clean water.

No Clear Future

Pakistan’s government says the crackdown will continue until all undocumented foreigners leave. But for thousands of Afghans, the road ahead remains uncertain.

“I don’t know what to do next,” said Abdul Qadir, still dazed after arriving at the border. “I left Afghanistan decades ago because it was unsafe. Now I’m going back with nothing.”

As the deportation drive expands, human rights groups, activists, and affected families continue to call for a more compassionate approach—one that recognizes decades of shared history between the people of Pakistan and Afghanistan.