Flow Monitoring of Afghan Returnees – Bi-Weekly Report (16 - 30 September 2023)

Between 16 and 30 September 2023, 20,816 Afghan nationals spontaneously returned to Afghanistan, including 14,168 through the Torkham border point and 6,648 through the Chaman border point. In addition, border authorities forcibly returned 326 individuals due to a lack of valid documentation. Cumulatively, since 1 January 2023, IOM identified 84,660 Afghan returnees at the two border crossings, excluding those forcibly returned.

On 26 September 2023, the Ministry of Interior (MoI) in Pakistan announced its decision to enact an “Illegal Foreigners’ Repatriation Plan”. The plan comprises of mechanisms to consolidate databases of “illegal foreigners” in the country, check entry of new illegal entrants, apprehension, deportation, repatriation of illegal/ overstaying foreigners.