The caretaker government has decided to extend the proof of registration (PoR) cards – an identity document for Afghan refugees – till December 31, sources within the government said on Thursday.

They added that such Afghan nationals would also be stopped at transit points after the deadline.

The development comes as the government’s crackdown on illegal immigrants gets under way. More than 129,000 Afghan nationals have fled Pakistan in the month since the government set the November 1 deadline.

Sources said that Afghan-origin card holders and those having correct visas on Afghan passports would not be disturbed.

The caretaker government has set up holding centres at borders to facilitate the returning immigrants.

About 600,000 Afghans have crossed into neighbouring Pakistan since the Taliban took over in 2021, joining a large number there since the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan in 1979 and the ensuing civil wars.

Islamabad says deportation will be orderly, carried out in phases and start with those who have criminal records.