Over 7,000 Afghan Nationals Detained in Pakistan in One Month, UN Reports
According to a joint report by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and the International Organization for Migration (IOM), a total of 7,015 Afghan citizens were detained in Pakistan between January 1 and January 31, 2026.
The report states that Balochistan province accounted for the highest number of detentions, with 3,713 individuals detained by Pakistani forces during this period. Islamabad ranked second with 1,528 Afghan detainees.
The international organizations also noted that during the same time frame, 77,304 Afghans returned from Pakistan to Afghanistan. The report did not specify how many of these returns were voluntary and how many were the result of pressure and detentions.
The extensive detention and return of Afghan migrants is ongoing while many of these individuals lack access to legal support, legal residency, and adequate humanitarian conditions. This situation has raised concerns among migrant rights advocacy groups.
