Arrests of Afghan nationals in Pakistan surge 146% as border crossings reopen

• UNHCR-IOM report links spike to Chaman and Torkham border reopenings
• 7,764 Afghan nationals detained in a single week, mostly ACC holders and undocumented migrants
• Returns jump 101% and deportations 131% compared to previous week

ISLAMABAD: The arrest and detention of Afghan nationals in Pakistan surged dramatically last week, rising by 146 percent in just seven days, as the reopening of border crossings triggered a fresh wave of enforcement, according to a joint report by the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) and the International Organisation for Migration (IOM).

The report underscores Balochistan as the epicentre of the crackdown and highlights a simultaneous spike in returns and deportations.

The data revealed that a total of 7,764 Afghan nationals were arrested and detained during the week ending Nov 1, marking a sharp increase from the previous week. Of those detained between Oct 26 and Nov 1, Afghan Citizen Card (ACC) holders and undocumented Afghans accounted for 77 percent, while Proof of Registration (PoR) card holders represented the remaining 23 percent.

The report noted that 86 percent of the arrests occurred in Balochistan. Nationwide, the top three districts for arrests and detentions between Jan 1 and Nov 1, 2025, were Chagi, Attock, and Quetta.

The surge in returns and deportations was equally pronounced. According to the UN data, the number of returns jumped by 101 percent and deportations by 131 percent compared to the week of Oct 19-25, climbing from 18,630 returns, including 3,341 deportations, to 37,448 returns, including 7,733 deportations, in the week ending Nov 1.

“This notable increase is primarily attributed to the reopening of the Chaman border, with Torkham also reopening on Nov 1,” the report stated.

From Sept 15, 2023, to Nov 1, 2025, a cumulative total of 1,667,713 Afghan nationals have returned to Afghanistan. Between Oct 26 and Nov 1, PoR holders formed the largest group at 47 percent, followed by undocumented individuals at 44 percent and ACC holders at 8 percent. In contrast, deportees during the same period were overwhelmingly undocumented at 93 percent.

Fear of arrest remains the primary driver of returns. Since April 1, 2023, 93 percent of undocumented individuals and ACC holders cited fear of detention as their reason for leaving, compared with 39 percent of PoR cardholders.

The recent wave of enforcement follows several government directives issued this year affecting Afghan nationals. In July, authorities ordered the repatriation of PoR card holders after their cards expired on June 30, later setting a Sept 1 deadline for compliance.

The UNHCR-IOM report highlights the growing human and operational impact of these policies, signaling intensified migration dynamics along Pakistan’s western borders as authorities implement new regulatory and security measures.