Pakistan

Decades of conflict have led to protracted displacement for generations of Afghans, with Pakistan currently hosting approximately 1.5 million registered Afghan refugees – women, men, and children. The Government of Pakistan estimates that an additional 600,000 Afghans have sought refuge in the country following the events in Afghanistan since 2021.

On 3 October 2023, Pakistan’s national Apex Committee endorsed a plan to repatriate over one million undocumented foreigners, the majority of whom are Afghans. Since then, nearly 600,000 Afghan – many undocumented – have returned to Afghanistan, often under pressure and fearing arrest.

Meanwhile, the humanitarian situation within Afghanistan remains dire, particularly for women and girls. Since August 2021, neighbouring countries have recorded at least 1.6 million new Afghan arrivals. UNHCR is responding through the regional Refugee Response Plan and the Afghanistan Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan. Together, Iran and Pakistan host an estimated 5.7 million Afghan refugees and others in refugee-like situations.