Archive · 5 Nov 2025
Pakistan to Cancel 250,000 Afghan Identity Cards Amidst Taliban Accusations
Imagine Pakistan has ID cards for people living there.
They found out that about 250,000 of these cards given to Afghan people might be fake or were gotten the wrong way, possibly with bribes.
Pakistan says these people are doing bad things like helping criminals and funding bad groups.
So, Pakistan wants to cancel these cards and make those people leave.
But, people from the Taliban, who rule Afghanistan, say that many of these Afghans were born and grew up in Pakistan, and kicking them out is unfair.
They also think Pakistan is doing this because other countries and a big money group called the IMF are telling them to look tough on crime.
They believe Pakistan is unfairly targeting a specific group of people called Pashtuns.
Pakistan intends to cancel approximately 250,000 identity cards issued to Afghan nationals, alleging they were obtained illegally.
Intelligence sources claim some fake IDs were created using forged documents, fake marriage certificates, and bribes.
Pakistan asserts individuals with these cards are involved in money laundering, terror financing, and other illegal activities.
Taliban sources accuse Pakistan of ethnic cleansing and succumbing to Western and IMF pressure, calling the expulsion inhumane.
The move follows recent border clashes between Pakistan and Afghanistan, with peace talks scheduled.
Pakistan has declared a continued crackdown on Afghan refugees residing illegally in the country.
- Who
- Pakistan government and National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA), with counter-perspectives from Taliban sources.
- What
- Pakistan plans to cancel approximately 250,000 Computerised National Identity Cards (CNICs) issued to Afghan nationals, citing illegal issuance and involvement in criminal activities. This move is met with accusations from the Taliban of ethnic cleansing and bowing to international pressure.
- When
- The crackdown was announced in early October, with intelligence sources revealing the ID cancellation plan on November 5, 2025. Peace talks are scheduled for November 6, 2025.
- Where
- Pakistan and Afghanistan border region, including Kabul.
- Why
- Pakistan claims the IDs were obtained illegally and used for illicit activities, and that the crackdown is part of ongoing efforts against terrorism financing. The Taliban suggests it is a pressure tactic and ethnic cleansing.
Pakistan's Stance
Taliban's Stance
Reason for ID Cancellation
Pakistan's Stance
Pakistan claims the cards were issued illegally to Afghans through fake documents and bribes, with some made using colored printers and software. They assert these individuals are involved in money laundering, terror financing, and other criminal activities, and that militants are using them and their families for crimes.
Taliban's Stance
The Taliban asserts that the crackdown targets Afghans born and raised in Pakistan, calling their expulsion inhumane and against Islamic brotherhood. They claim Pakistan is bowing to Western and IMF pressure to appear tough on terrorism financing and are carrying out 'systematic ethnic cleansing of Pashtuns'.
Purpose of Crackdown
Pakistan's Stance
Pakistan states the crackdown on Afghan refugees will continue, aiming to deport all illegally residing individuals and to counter terrorism financing.
Taliban's Stance
Taliban sources view the crackdown as a pressure tactic to compel Talibanis to comply with Pakistan's demands.
- Number of IDs to be Cancelled
- At least 250,000
- Issuing Authority (Pakistan)
- National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA)
- Alleged Illegal Activities
- Money laundering, terror financing, involvement in criminal activities
- Taliban Accusation
- Ethnic cleansing of Pashtuns, bowing to Western/IMF pressure
- Recent Border Clashes
- Pakistan airstrikes on TTP camps in Kabul; Taliban counteroffensive killing 58 Pakistani soldiers and destroying 20 outposts.
- Upcoming Peace Talks
- Second round scheduled for November 6