Over 500 ‘illegal’ Afghans held in KP, Balochistan and Sindh, says IOM-UNHCR report

A recent report from the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) reveals that over 500 undocumented Afghan nationals were arrested across three districts in Balochistan, Sindh, and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa during the past week. According to the report, 97% of these arrests and detentions involved ACC holders and undocumented Afghans from Chagai, Peshawar, and Karachi. In contrast, only 3% were Proof of Registration (POR) holders.

Balochistan accounted for 56% of the reported arrests and detentions, followed by Punjab with 34%, and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa with 10%. Prior to 2023, no data on the arrest and detention of Afghan Citizen Card (ACC) holders or undocumented Afghan nationals was collected. However, since January 2023, IOM has been gathering such information.

From September 15, 2023, to October 17, 2026, a cumulative total of 2,744,068 Afghans have been repatriated to their country from Pakistan. During the week of October 11 to 17, UNHCR and IOM estimate that 3,883 Afghans were returned through the Torkham, Chaman, and Bahramcha border crossing points. This represents a 10% decrease in returns compared to the previous week, as well as a 48% decrease in deportations (from 4,295 to 3,883).

Among those who returned during this week, the majority were undocumented (83%), followed by ACC holders (9%) and POR holders (8%). Most of the POR returns were processed through UNHCR's Voluntary Repatriation Centres (VRCs). Deportations among those who returned last week were significantly lower (99% undocumented, 1% PoR holders, and 1% ACC holders).

Since April 1, 2025, a total of 1,890,035 Afghans have returned to their country, with 237,387 (13%) being deported. Fear of arrest continues to be the primary reason for return among undocumented individuals and ACC holders (95%), as well as for PoR holders (68%).