Pakistan has begun deporting legally registered Afghan refugees ahead of its official September 1 deadline, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) reported on Wednesday. The move could result in the expulsion of over a million Afghans, many of whom have lived in Pakistan for decades to escape war and instability in Afghanistan.

Axar.az reports that the UNHCR confirmed it has received reports of the arrest and forced deportation of hundreds of documented Afghan refugees between August 1 and 4.

These actions violate Pakistan’s international obligations, the UN agency said, urging Islamabad to adopt a "humane, voluntary, and gradual" return process rather than abrupt expulsions.

The Pakistani government previously stated that formal deportations would begin after September 1, and only undocumented foreigners would be targeted. However, the UNHCR cited the deportation of refugees with valid Proof of Registration (PoR) cards and Afghan Citizen Cards (ACC), of which over 2 million have been issued.

The repatriation drive, launched under the Illegal Foreigners Repatriation Plan in late 2023, has intensified amid accusations by Pakistan that Afghan nationals are involved in militant attacks and crimes. Afghanistan denies these claims and calls the removals forced deportations.

The mass return is feared to further destabilize Afghanistan, which is already struggling with economic collapse, insecurity, and a parallel wave of deportations from neighboring Iran. Aid agencies warn that such a large and sudden influx of returnees could jeopardize lives and worsen regional instability.