Pakistan Orders Arrest of Afghans Without Valid Visas From July 10

Pakistan has ordered authorities nationwide to immediately arrest Afghan nationals living in the country without valid visas from July 10, 2026, marking a major escalation in the government’s ongoing deportation campaign.

The directive was issued by the Ministry of Interior and sent to provincial governments, district administrations, police and law enforcement agencies. It instructs authorities to strictly implement the Illegal Foreigners’ Repatriation Plan, Pakistan’s nationwide drive to remove undocumented foreigners, most of whom are Afghan nationals.

According to the order, “with effect from 10th July, 2026, any Afghan national found residing in Pakistan without a valid visa shall be arrested immediately.” Authorities have also been told to submit daily reports from July 11, including the number of Afghans found without valid visas, action taken against them and their current immigration status.

What Has Changed?

Pakistan had already been deporting undocumented foreigners under the repatriation plan launched in 2023. The new order turns that policy into a sharper enforcement deadline.

From July 10, Afghan nationals without valid visas — including visa overstayers — can face immediate arrest. The government has also directed authorities to speed up repatriation and deportation procedures under the existing plan.

This means the coming days are critical for Afghan families, workers, students and refugees whose documents have expired or whose legal status is unclear.

Who Is Most at Risk?

The order mainly affects Afghan nationals who:

• Do not have a valid Pakistani visa
• Have overstayed their visa
• Are living without formal immigration documents
• Cannot prove current legal residence status during checks
• Are waiting for documentation but have no valid stay approval

The directive is written around valid visa status, so Afghans holding other documents — such as refugee-related papers, Proof of Registration cards, Afghan Citizen Cards, resettlement documents or pending applications — should urgently verify their position with the relevant authorities, UNHCR or qualified legal advisers.

This is important because previous deportation phases created confusion for many Afghans with different types of documents.

Why Pakistan Says It Is Taking Action

Pakistan says the crackdown is part of immigration enforcement and national security policy.

The Illegal Foreigners’ Repatriation Plan was first enacted after the Interior Ministry’s September 2023 decision to remove foreigners living in Pakistan without valid documents. UNHCR’s rights mapping platform records the plan as a government framework aimed at repatriating undocumented foreigners.

Pakistani officials have repeatedly argued that no country can allow indefinite residence without valid documents, especially when border security, terrorism, smuggling and illegal movement remain major concerns.

At the same time, rights groups and UN agencies have warned that forced returns may expose vulnerable Afghans to serious risks inside Afghanistan.

Read more: Pakistan bans offering jobs and accommodation to illegal Afghans

The Humanitarian Concern

The crackdown comes as Afghanistan is already struggling with economic hardship, limited jobs, weak public services and a large returnee population.

UNHCR and IOM have been tracking returns, arrests and deportations of undocumented Afghan nationals, Afghan Citizen Card holders and Proof of Registration holders since the repatriation plan began. Their May 2026 update reported continued returns through major border points and said arrests and detentions remained significant in Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Punjab and Islamabad Capital Territory.

Human Rights Watch has also criticized Pakistan’s forced returns, warning that expulsions may violate protections against returning people to places where they face persecution, torture or serious harm.

UNHCR has consistently said refugee returns should be voluntary, safe, dignified and without pressure.

What Afghan Nationals Should Do Now

Afghan nationals in Pakistan should not wait until July 10 to check their status.

Those affected should immediately:

1. Check visa validity through official Pakistani immigration channels
2. Keep passports, visas, PoR/ACC cards and UNHCR documents available
3. Avoid fake agents promising “urgent extensions”
4. Contact UNHCR, IOM or legal aid groups if at risk
5. Regularize stay if eligible
6. Prepare school, medical and family documents if returning
7. Avoid travel without documents after July 10

UNHCR’s Afghanistan help platform says vulnerable returnees from Pakistan may be eligible for limited assistance after return, depending on criteria and registration.

What This Means for Pakistan

For Pakistan, the policy reflects a hardening immigration position after decades of hosting Afghan refugees and migrants.

Millions of Afghans have lived in Pakistan over different waves of conflict, including after the Soviet invasion, the U.S.-led war and the Taliban takeover in 2021. But Islamabad now appears determined to shift from informal tolerance to strict documentation.

The impact will be felt most in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Balochistan, Islamabad, Karachi and major urban centers, where Afghan communities have long been concentrated.

The policy may also affect labor markets, rental housing, transport, small businesses and informal trade networks where Afghan workers and traders have been active for years.

The Bigger Picture

This is not a one-day crackdown. It is part of a long-running repatriation campaign that began in 2023 and has continued in phases.

The July 10 deadline shows that Pakistan is moving toward stricter enforcement, daily monitoring and faster deportation reporting. For Afghan nationals without valid visas, the risk of detention is now immediate and official.

The challenge for Pakistan is to enforce immigration law while protecting vulnerable people from abuse, family separation and unsafe return.

Bottom Line

Pakistan has set a clear deadline: from July 10, 2026, Afghan nationals residing in the country without valid visas can be arrested immediately.

For the government, this is an immigration and security enforcement measure. For Afghan families, it is a moment of fear, urgency and uncertainty.

The next few weeks will test whether Pakistan can implement the policy with order, transparency and respect for humanitarian protections.

FAQs

When will Pakistan start arresting Afghans without valid visas?

Pakistan’s Interior Ministry directive says arrests will begin from July 10, 2026.

Who will be affected by the order?

Afghan nationals living in Pakistan without valid visas, including visa overstayers, are most directly affected.

Will authorities submit reports after arrests?

Yes. Provincial authorities and law enforcement agencies have been directed to submit daily reports from July 11, 2026.

Is this part of the Illegal Foreigners’ Repatriation Plan?

Yes. The order is linked to Pakistan’s ongoing Illegal Foreigners’ Repatriation Plan, first launched in 2023.

What should Afghan nationals do now?

They should urgently check their visa status, keep all documents ready, avoid fake agents and contact UNHCR, IOM or legal advisers if their status is unclear.

Are all Afghan refugees affected?

The directive specifically refers to Afghans without valid visas. Those holding refugee-related documents or pending resettlement cases should verify their status immediately with relevant authorities or UNHCR.