ISLAMABAD, Pakistan — In April, Pakistan deported 144,500 Afghan nationals, marking the highest monthly total since the mass repatriation campaign began in September 2023, according to a joint report by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and the International Organization for Migration (IOM).
The report indicates that 72 percent of those returned were undocumented, while 22 percent held Afghan Citizenship Cards and 6 percent possessed Proof of Registration cards.
Additionally, Pakistani authorities arrested approximately 24,400 Afghans in April, more than double the average monthly rate in 2024. Most arrests occurred in Punjab province, followed by Balochistan.
The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) has expressed concern over the forced returns, warning that religious minorities—including Christians, Shi’a Hazaras, Ahmadis, and Sikhs—face severe risks under Taliban rule. “We are deeply concerned that religious minority communities will be in grave danger, especially women and girls, as Taliban officials seek retaliation against Afghans returned by the Pakistani government’s forced and accelerated repatriation efforts,” said USCIRF Chair Stephen Schneck.
International human rights organizations have called on Pakistan to halt the forced repatriations, citing violations of international human rights and refugee protections. They warn that the mass deportations could exacerbate the humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan, where the economy is in collapse and basic services are severely strained.
Approximately 2.8 million Afghans reside in Pakistan, including registered refugees and others in refugee-like situations. With the second phase of Pakistan’s repatriation plan underway, more than 1.4 million individuals—comprising undocumented migrants, refugees, and those in similar circumstances—are expected to be returned to Afghanistan.
