Attachments
INTRODUCTION
In response to the Ministry of Interior's (MoI) decision of 26 September 2023 to enact an “Illegal Foreigners' Repatriation Plan”, UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency and IOM, the UN Migration Agency, have collated their data on the arrest, detention, and deportation of Proof of Registration (PoR) holders, Afghan Citizen Card (ACC) holders, and undocumented Afghan nationals as well as on the outflows of Afghan nationals at the Torkham, Ghulam Khan, Chaman, Badini and Bahramcha border crossing points, to better understand the protection environment and movements of Afghan nationals returning to Afghanistan from Pakistan.
In January and February 2025, the Government of Pakistan (GoP) issued a directive, requiring Afghan nationals in Pakistan to relocate from Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) and Rawalpindi, or else face deportation. This has resulted in an uptick in arrests, detentions and deportations of Afghan nationals in ICT and Rawalpindi. In response, on 5 February 2025, UNHCR and IOM issued a [joint press statement](https://pakistan.iom.int/news/joint-statement-unhcr-and-iom-concerned-about-recent-developments-requiring-afghans-leave-pakistans-capital).
KEY FINDINGS AND LIMITATIONS
It is important to note that prior to 2023, there was no data collected on the arrest and detention of ACC holders or undocumented Afghan nationals. Since January 2023, IOM has started to collect this data, which should be considered indicative at this point. The figures, particularly of undocumented Afghan nationals, should be considered underreported.
- In February 2025, the overall reported rate of arrests and detentions increased by 15% compared to the past month (reporting period from 1 to 31 January 2025).
- In February 2025, ACC holders and undocumented Afghans represented 89% of the total rate of arrests and detentions, including a majority of undocumented Afghans.
- In February 2025, 50% of the total arrests and detentions took place in Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) and Rawalpindi.
- Compared to January and February of 2024, the rate of arrests in Islamabad Capital Territory between January and February 2025 is 45 times higher.