Islamabad: Instability in Afghanistan has led to a significant increase in the movement of Afghan nationals into Pakistan over the years. In recent times, however, policies such as Pakistan’s “Illegal Foreigners Repatriation Plan” have prompted a considerable rise in the number of returns to Afghanistan, reaching a record 1,125,946 individuals in 2025, according to a report by Relief Web.

According to Relief Web, the repatriation plan, announced in September 2023, includes three phases targeting undocumented Afghans, Afghan Citizen Card holders, and Proof of Registration card holders. The first phase, focusing on undocumented Afghans, began in November 2023 and continued throughout 2024 and 2025. This intensified implementation of the plan is directly linked to the increase in returns, which saw a sharp rise from 315,100 in 2024 to over a million in 2025. Deportations also increased significantly in 2025, with 154,663 individuals being deported, marking an all-time high since the International Organization for Migration began Flow Monitoring in 2017.

The report highlights the impact of this policy and public sentiments in Pakistan, which have been calling for the expulsion of Afghan nationals. These factors have influenced not only the number of returns but also the dynamics of cross-border movements traditionally driven by economic, healthcare, and educational needs, alongside family visits, trade, and security considerations.