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The International Organization for Migration (IOM) Pakistan’s FM provides key insights into cross-border migration trends, returning Afghan nationals to Afghanistan, their profiles, mobility patterns, routes, vulnerabilities, demographics and other social characteristics.
Between 1 and 15 February 2026, DTM border monitors (BMs) interviewed 1,886 heads of households through a Flow Monitoring Registry (FMR) form, while 50,332 Afghan returnees were identified through five border crossing points (BCPs).
- Since 1 April 2025, 1,205,540 Afghan nationals have returned, of which 162,083 (13%) were deported.
- During the reporting period, returns (32%) and deportations (3%) increased compared to the last two weeks of January (16 – 31 January 2026). Returns increased ahead of Ramadan and due to seasonal weather changes, while the rise in deportations may reflect short-term operational dynamics, leading to an increase in arrest activities.
- Fear of arrest (98%) remains the most important reason among respondents to return to Afghanistan.
- Cumulatively, since 15 September 2023, 2,059,573 individuals have returned to Afghanistan. Sixty-one per cent (1,253,582 individuals) of this total have returned since 1 January 2025.