Islamabad: Over the past year, the arrests and deportations of Afghan nationals in Pakistan have seen a significant decrease, a joint report by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and the International Organization for Migration (IOM). The data collected between September 2023 and September 2024 highlight the changing landscape of migration and the ongoing challenges faced by Afghan nationals, including those holding Afghan Citizen Cards (ACC) and Proof of Registration (PoR) cards.

According to The UN Refugee Agency, the comprehensive report emerged in response to the Ministry of Interior’s decision in October 2023 to implement the “Illegal Foreigners’ Repatriation Plan” (IFRP), focusing on the arrest, detention, and deportation processes affecting these individuals. The report notes a peak in November 2023, when over 23,000 Afghans were detained, and outlines the gradual decline to an average of 700 arrests per month in 2024.

The analysis reveals that Balochistan province experienced the highest rates of arrests and detentions, accounting for 66% of the total, primarily due to its role as a key transit point for irregular migration between Afghanistan and the Islamic Republic of Iran. Moreover, the report details that 88% of the individuals returned to Afghanistan were undocumented, while documented holders of PoR cards represented only 10%, and ACC holders a mere 2%.

Despite the government of Pakistan extending the validity of the PoR card until June 2025, the situation for undocumented Afghans and ACC holders remains precarious due to the lack of established protection pathways, underscoring the need for continued attention to the rights and well-being of Afghan nationals in the region.