Islamabad: From January 1 to July 31, 2024, Pakistan has facilitated the return of 17,529 Afghan refugees back to their homeland, as part of an ongoing voluntary repatriation initiative that has assisted approximately 4.44 million refugees since its inception in 2002. This effort is coordinated by the UN Refugee Agency, which aims to support Afghan nationals wishing to return to Afghanistan from Pakistan.

According to The UN Refugee Agency, the majority of these returnees have relocated to major Afghan cities with Kabul receiving the highest number at 4,443, followed by Kunduz, Nangarhar, Kandahar, and Balkh. The repatriation program is largely executed through Voluntary Repatriation Centres (VRCs) located at Azakhel and Baleli, where 70% and 30% of the refugees respectively have been processed.

The decision to leave Pakistan has been driven by various socio-economic factors including inflation and strict border entry requirements, which collectively account for half of the repatriation motivations. Additionally, concerns over harassment, arrest, and loss of livelihoods were significant ‘push factors’. Conversely, the primary ‘pull factor’ for returning to Afghanistan has been the reunion with family and relatives, cited by 56% of the returnees, along with the promise of employment opportunities and a reduced fear of persecution.

The data also reveals the demographic distribution of the Afghan refugee population within Pakistan prior to repatriation, with the highest numbers residing in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, followed by Balochistan, Punjab, Sindh, and Islamabad.

This structured repatriation initiative underscores ongoing efforts by Pakistan and international agencies to manage the refugee situation responsibly, ensuring that those returning do so under safe and dignified conditions.