Pakistan Set To Cancel Identity Cards Issued To Afghans ‘Illegally’: Exclusive On What Taliban Says

Last Updated:November 05, 2025, 19:21 IST

Pakistan says crackdown will continue: Taliban sources say Pakistan is bowing to Western and IMF pressures to appear tough on terrorism financing

Pakistan in early October also announced a strict crackdown on Afghan refugees. (AP File)

Pakistan is set to cancel at least 250,000 Computerised Identity Cards (CNIC), which they claim have been issue to Afghan nationals illegally, according to top intelligence sources.

Taliban sources have, however, called the crackdown a pressure tactic to force Talibanis to do whatever Pakistan says.

“In its scrutiny, the Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) of Pakistan claims it has found that some fake CNICs were made with the help of coloured printers and softwares. They say these CNICs were issued to Afghans through fake documents and heavy bribes. Some citizenships were issued to fake marriage certificates (nikahnama), they claim," said intelligence sources.

“According to Pakistan, those with fake CNICs are involved in money laundering, terror financing and other illegal activities. Many militants are using these Afghans and their families for crimes. The crackdown against Afghan refugees will continue in Pakistan," they added.

What Taliban sources say

According to the Taliban, these are Afghans who were born and raised in Pakistan. “Their expulsion is inhumane and against Islamic brotherhood," say Taliban sources.

Taliban officials claim Pakistan is bowing to Western and IMF pressures to appear tough on terrorism financing. “This is nothing but systematic ethnic cleansing of Pashtuns," they said.

Pakistan’s crackdown

Pakistan in early October also announced a strict crackdown on Afghan refugees, with the government declaring that all Afghan nationals residing illegally in the country will be deported “as soon as possible". The clashes broke out after Pakistan reportedly launched cross-border airstrikes in Kabul on October 9, targeting Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) camps. Pakistan accused the Afghan Taliban of harbouring TTP militants, responsible for killing hundreds of Pakistani soldiers since 2021.

In response, Taliban mounted a major counteroffensive across the border, killing 58 Pakistani soldiers and destroying 20 security outposts.

Pakistan and Afghanistan are for now maintaining peace and extending ceasefire. After the first round of peace talks, there will be second round of peace talks on November 6.

News world Pakistan Set To Cancel Identity Cards Issued To Afghans ‘Illegally’: Exclusive On What Taliban Says

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