Islamabad: A recent initiative by the Pakistan government to repatriate undocumented foreigners has led to a significant increase in the arrests, detentions, and deportations of Afghan nationals, including those holding Afghan Citizen Cards (ACC) and undocumented individuals. This surge was documented in a new report released by the United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR) and the International Organization for Migration (IOM).
According to The UN Refugee Agency, the “Illegal Foreigners’ Repatriation Plan” (IFRP), enacted by Pakistan’s Ministry of Interior on 26 September 2023, has notably influenced the rates of arrests and detentions since its implementation. While the government has extended the validity of the Proof of Registration (PoR) card, which helps protect Afghan nationals from deportation, until 30 June 2025, the overall impact of the IFRP continues to be felt across the country, particularly in provinces with high levels of irregular migration.
The report highlights that from 25 August to 7 September 2024, there was a 34 percent increase in arrests and detentions compared to the previous two weeks. During this period, ACC holders and undocumented Afghans constituted 83 percent of the total arrests and detentions, with the majority being undocumented.
Furthermore, the province of Balochistan has been the region with the highest reported rates of arrest and detention since October 2023. Specifically, from 25 August to 7 September 2024, 74 percent of these incidents occurred in Balochistan. The top districts for such arrests and detentions include Chagai, Pishin in Balochistan, and Karachi in Sindh.
The UN report also notes the challenges in data collection, especially regarding ACC holders and undocumented Afghan nationals, with much of the current data being considered indicative and likely underreported. This underscores the complexities involved in accurately assessing the full scope of the impact of Pakistan’s policies on Afghan nationals within its borders.