ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court on Monday halted the government’s move to deport 18 Afghan nationals, issuing notices to the Ministry of Interior, NADRA, DG Immigration, FIA, and police while seeking their responses.

A written order, released by Chief Justice Sarfraz Dogar, was in response to a petition filed on behalf of the Afghan nationals by lawyers Adil Aziz Qazi and others. According to the order, the government had on August 4 cancelled the petitioners’ proof-of-residence (PoR) cards and ordered their return to Afghanistan.

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The petitioners include family members of the late Fazal Rehman, who had applied for citizenship in 2008 after fulfilling all legal requirements. The court noted that no decision had yet been made on the citizenship application.

The HC directed all parties to submit written comments by the next hearing and restrained authorities from taking any action against the petitioners until further orders. The case is scheduled for hearing on September 18, 2025.