The Islamabad High Court has stopped the deportation of 18 Afghan nationals and directed Pakistani authorities to explain the cancellation of their residency cards.

In a written order issued Monday, Chief Justice Sarfraz Dogar instructed the Interior Ministry, the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA), the Directorate General of Immigration, the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) and the police to respond before the next hearing.

The ruling came after the Afghans petitioned the court, arguing that their Proof of Registration (PoR) cards had been revoked earlier this month. Their lawyers said the government cancelled the cards on 4 August and ordered deportations. They added the group belongs to the family of a man named Fazlur Rahman, who applied for Pakistani citizenship in 2008 after meeting all legal requirements, but whose case has never been resolved.

The court barred authorities from taking any forced action against the petitioners and said they must not be expelled until further notice. The case was adjourned until 18 September.

The decision comes as Pakistan intensifies efforts to expel undocumented Afghans. The government first launched deportations in 2023, leading to more than one million Afghans leaving the country. In recent weeks, authorities began a second phase of removals, returning thousands of Afghans to their homeland.

At the same time, Islamabad has suspended visa extensions for Afghan migrants, leaving even those with legal documents unable to renew their stay.