Archive · 17 Nov 2025
Pakistan's Afghan Arrests Surge, Over 100,000 Detained in 2025
Pakistan has been arresting and sending back many Afghan people living there.
In 2025 alone, over 100,000 Afghans were arrested.
This is happening much more than before.
Many Afghans are scared of being caught, so they are choosing to go back to Afghanistan.
The Pakistani government has made new rules that make it harder for Afghans to stay.
Because of this, more and more Afghans are returning to Afghanistan each week.
Over 100,000 Afghan nationals arrested/detained in Pakistan in 2025, a significant increase from previous years.
Arrests/detentions surged by 72% in the first week of November 2025 compared to the prior week, with 13,380 individuals detained.
Fear of arrest is the main reason for voluntary returns, particularly for undocumented Afghans and those with Afghan Citizen Cards (ACC).
Over 1.7 million Afghans have returned to Afghanistan from Pakistan since September 2023, with recent weeks showing a significant rise in both returns and deportations.
Pakistan's government has issued several directives affecting Afghan nationals, including repatriation orders and enforcement phases.
- Who
- Afghan nationals (including ACC holders, undocumented Afghans, and PoR holders) and Pakistan authorities, with data collection supported by UNHCR and IOM.
- What
- A significant surge in the arrest, detention, and return of Afghan nationals from Pakistan, with over 100,000 detained in 2025 and a substantial increase in weekly detentions and returns.
- When
- Data highlights trends throughout 2023, 2024, and 2025, with a focus on the period of January 1 to November 8, 2025, and specifically November 2 to November 8, 2025.
- Where
- Pakistan, with arrests and detentions concentrated in Balochistan and Punjab provinces, and returns occurring through various border crossing points into Afghanistan.
- Why
- Pakistan's government directives and enforcement actions, including the 'IFRP' and repatriation orders for PoR cardholders, coupled with Afghan nationals' fear of arrest, are driving increased returns.
Afghan Returnees
Pakistan's Enforcement Actions
Scale of Arrests and Detentions
Afghan Returnees
In 2025, a significant number of Afghan nationals, including ACC holders and undocumented individuals, have been arrested and detained, with over 100,000 recorded between January 1 and November 8.
Pakistan's Enforcement Actions
From November 2 to November 8, a total of 13,380 Afghan nationals were arrested and detained, a 72% increase from the previous week, highlighting intensified enforcement.
Reasons for Return
Afghan Returnees
Fear of arrest is the primary driver for undocumented individuals and ACC holders returning to Afghanistan, cited by 93% of them, while 47% of PoR holders also return due to this fear.
Pakistan's Enforcement Actions
Pakistan has implemented multiple directives impacting Afghan nationals, including instructions to relocate from certain areas or face deportation, and the targeted repatriation or deportation of PoR cardholders after their cards expired.
Demographics of Detainees and Returnees
Afghan Returnees
ACC holders and undocumented Afghans constitute 76% of arrests and detentions, while PoR holders make up 24%. Among returnees, PoR holders were 48%, undocumented Afghans 43%, and ACC holders 9%.
Pakistan's Enforcement Actions
Deportations primarily affect undocumented Afghans (84%), followed by PoR holders (13%) and ACC holders (3%). Operations in Balochistan have led to the custody of hundreds of Afghan nationals for deportation.
- Total Afghans Arrested/Detained (Jan 1 - Nov 8, 2025)
- 100,971
- Afghan Nationals Arrested/Detained (Nov 2 - Nov 8, 2025)
- 13,380
- Increase in Arrests/Detentions (Week-on-week)
- 72%
- Percentage of ACC/Undocumented in Arrests
- 76%
- Percentage of PoR Holders in Arrests
- 24%
- Total Returns to Afghanistan (Sep 15, 2023 - Nov 8, 2025)
- 1,723,481
- Returns/Deportations (Nov 2 - Nov 8, 2025)
- 55,768
- Deportations (April 1, 2025 - Present)
- 115,159 (13% of total returns)
Sources
Pakistan arrests record number of Afghan migrants in 2025: UNHCR
Pakistan Arrests Over 100,000 Afghans As Returns Surge, UNHCR Data Shows
Pakistan Arrests Over 100,000 Afghans as Returns Surge
UN OCHA warns funding shortage could disrupt humanitarian operations in Afghanistan
