A sharp 41 weekly increase in arrests and detentions of Afghan nationals in Pakistan has been reported, even as overall figures have dropped since an April peak. The UNHCR-IOM Pakistan Flash update # 49 reveals that 2,144 Afghans were taken into custody between June 22nd and 28th, 2025.
The report, covering the period from September 15th, 2023 to June 28th, 2025, highlights the impact of the Pakistani Ministry of Interior’s ‘Illegal Foreigners” Repatriation Plan.’ The plan, coupled with directives requiring Afghans to leave Islamabad and Rawalpindi, has led to a rise in deportations. The situation is further complicated by the expiration of Proof of Registration (PoR) cards on June 30th, 2025.
Afghan Citizen Card (ACC) holders and undocumented Afghans comprised 95 of those arrested in the last week of June. Balochistan province saw the highest number of arrests (70) during this period. The districts of Chaghi and Chaman in Balochistan, along with Attock in Punjab, witnessed the most apprehensions between January 1st and June 28th, 2025.
The report notes that data collection on ACC holders and undocumented Afghan arrests began only in January 2023, suggesting the provided numbers may underestimate the real figures, especially for undocumented individuals. The UNHCR and IOM issued a joint statement on February 5th, 2025, following government orders for Afghan relocation. The second phase of the repatriation plan, targeting ACC holders and undocumented Afghans, has further escalated the situation.