UNHCR and IOM: Arrests of Afghans in Pakistan Decreased by 50%
In a joint report, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and the International Organization for Migration (IOM) stated that between 22 and 28 March, a total of 781 Afghan nationals were arrested and detained, marking a 50% decrease compared to the previous week.
During this period, 82% of those arrested were undocumented Afghans and ACC card holders, while 18% were holders of PoR cards.
The report adds that 31% of the incidents were recorded in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, 27% in Sindh, 21% in Balochistan, 13% in Islamabad, and 5% in Punjab.
Figures from previous years indicate that the trend of arrests remains high, although some weekly fluctuations have been observed in 2026.
The report further notes that from 1 January to 28 March 2026, the highest number of arrests were recorded in Chaghi, Islamabad, and Karachi.
According to the report, prior to 2023, data on the arrest and detention of ACC holders and undocumented Afghans was not collected; however, this process has been recorded since the beginning of 2023. Nevertheless, the figures for undocumented Afghans may be underreported.
The report also highlights that in September 2023, the Government of Pakistan announced the “Illegal Foreigners’ Repatriation Plan,” which increased the focus on the arrest, detention, and deportation of Afghan nationals.
Later, in 2025, several additional measures were introduced, including directives for Afghan nationals to leave Islamabad and Rawalpindi, further expanding the deportation process to Afghans with different types of documentation.
