Over 860,000 Afghan Refugees deported from Pakistan

Over 860,000 Afghan migrants have been deported from Pakistan since September 2023, with the majority returning via Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Since September 2023, over 860,000 Afghan citizens have left Pakistan. Data from the International Organization for Migration (IOM) indicates that more than half a million of these individuals crossed the border into Afghanistan through the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa region. This mass return of migrants has been closely monitored by both Pakistani authorities and international organizations.

The return of Afghan migrants occurred in two main phases. The first phase, which involved undocumented Afghan migrants, was marked by forced deportation. According to reports from the Pakistani newspaper Dawn on April 13, 2025, this was followed by the second phase, which started in early 2025. This phase affected Afghan citizens holding Afghan Citizen Cards (ECC), who were given a deadline to leave Pakistan by April 1, 2025.

On April 11, 2025, a significant number of Afghan citizens were deported from Pakistan, with 4,908 individuals expelled. Among these, 2,475 held legal documents (ECC), with over 2,000 departing voluntarily. However, around 350 individuals were forcibly sent back via the Torkham border. Additionally, 2,433 undocumented individuals were also expelled, with 1,900 departing voluntarily and 520 being forcibly removed through Torkham.

According to IOM data, from September 15, 2023, to April 5, 2025, a total of 861,763 Afghan migrants returned to Afghanistan. This large-scale return highlights the ongoing migration trend, with significant movement across multiple border crossings, primarily through Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s two border posts, which accounted for the majority of the returnees.

From the beginning of April 2025, the rate of deportations has escalated. A total of 16,242 Afghan citizens holding ECC cards were deported. Of these, 9,439 were voluntary departures, while 6,803 individuals were forcibly expelled. This increase aligns with the approaching deadline for Afghan citizens in Pakistan to leave the country, further intensifying the deportation efforts.

UNHCR and IOM reported a rise in returns between March 1 and April 5, 2025, with 19,334 Afghans returning via various border crossings including Torkham, Chaman, and others. The return flow reached unprecedented levels in early April, with over 2,000 people being registered daily. This surge in returns has been attributed to the looming deadlines and the intensified pressure on Afghan migrants to leave Pakistan.

In addition to border crossings, many Afghan migrants from Islamabad and Punjab have been transferred to transit camps in Peshawar and Landi Kotal. These migrants undergo a registration process before being sent back to Afghanistan. This step ensures that the return process is orderly, although it further highlights the growing logistical challenges faced by both the migrants and authorities involved in the repatriation process.

The ongoing forced and voluntary return of Afghan migrants from Pakistan presents significant challenges for both Pakistan and Afghanistan. The large-scale repatriation efforts highlight the delicate balance between national security concerns, humanitarian obligations, and the socio-economic integration of these returnees in Afghanistan.

The international community, especially organizations like the UNHCR and IOM, continues to play a crucial role in facilitating the return process and providing essential support to migrants. However, there remains a pressing need for long-term solutions, such as better integration programs and economic support for the returnees to prevent further displacement and instability.

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