Islamabad: Pakistan is currently hosting approximately 1.52 million registered refugees and asylum seekers, the latest report by the United Nations Refugee Agency reveals. The majority, over 1.33 million, hold the Afghan (PoR) card, and a significant number of registered refugees and asylum seekers are spread across the country, with a considerable population in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

According to The UN Refugee Agency, the registered refugee and asylum-seeker population in Pakistan comprises individuals primarily from Afghanistan, with smaller numbers from Somalia, Myanmar, and other countries. The data indicates that the largest demographic group among these populations is children aged 5-17, representing 38% of the total. Additionally, the report shows a trend of decreasing populations from a peak in 2019.

The breakdown by ethnicity within the refugee populations shows a dominance of Pashtuns, followed by Tajiks and Hazaras. The overview also maps out the geographical spread of refugees and asylum-seekers within Pakistan, highlighting significant concentrations in cities near the Afghan border.

The report reflects the ongoing efforts and challenges faced by Pakistan and international agencies in managing and supporting one of the largest refugee contingents globally.