A total of 15,452 Afghan nationals returned to Afghanistan from Pakistan between 1 and 15 September 2026, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) reports, bringing cumulative returns since 15 September 2023 to 2,722,091 people.

Deportations accounted for 18% of the movements in the period (2,765 people). Returns dropped 32% compared with 16–31 August 2026, a decline IOM links to reduced arrest and enforcement operations during the reporting period. Deportations edged up 2%.

The movements continue under Pakistan's "Illegal Foreigners Repatriation Plan" (IFRP), announced on 3 October 2023, which required all undocumented foreigners to leave by 1 November 2023 or face deportation. The plan has since expanded in phases: Phase II began in April 2025 after a 31 March 2025 deadline for Afghan Citizen Card (ACC) holders, and Phase III began in September 2025 following a 1 September 2025 deadline for Proof of Registration (PoR) holders.

What do the numbers show?

• 15,452 total returnees identified at five border crossing points, 1–15 September 2026
• 2,765 deportations, or 18% of the total
• 2,722,091 cumulative returnees from 15 September 2023 to 15 September 2026
• 1,868,058 returnees since 1 April 2025, of whom 233,136 (12%) were deported

Torkham in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa handled the vast majority of movement: 10,172 returnees, or 66% of the total, plus 939 deportations. Chaman in Balochistan processed 2,515 returnees (16%) and 1,436 deportations. Ghulam Khan, Bahramcha and Badini recorded zero returnees, though Bahramcha registered 390 deportations.

IOM border monitors interviewed 1,110 heads of households through a Flow Monitoring Registry (FMR) form during the period.

Why are Afghans leaving?

Fear of arrest drove the overwhelming majority of decisions: 95% of interviewed households cited it as their main reason for leaving Pakistan. Family member deported followed at 75%. Communal pressure to return (12%), unemployment (2%) and business or trade reasons (1%) trailed far behind.

Among those returning, documentation status broke down as follows: 67% undocumented (8,514 people), 20% PoR holders (2,577) and 13% ACC holders (1,596). Documentation data is unavailable for deportees.

When choosing their destination in Afghanistan, 75% of respondents cited family reunion and 61% cited availability of assistance. Only 4% returned to their own homes.

Who is returning?

Women made up 52% of returnees and men 48%. Women headed 3% of households; no child-headed households were recorded. Four per cent of returnees were elderly (60+), and the largest age group was 18–35, at 28% combined.

Of children under 10 who crossed, 94% had received a polio vaccination — 89% via Torkham and 99% via Chaman. On average, the most recent dose came 16 days before crossing. Vaccination districts Killa Abdullah, Peshawar and Khyber accounted for 99% of vaccinated children. Four families were referred to health units.

Where are they going?

Most respondents came from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (74%) and Balochistan (20%). Peshawar led districts of origin at 53%, followed by Quetta (12%) and Nowshera (5%). In Afghanistan, returnees intend to head mainly to Nangarhar (38%), Kabul (21%) and Kandahar (12%). In both origin and destination locations, the dominant profile is a rented house and daily wage labour.

Respondents paid an average of USD 523 (PKR 145,012) to travel from their place of origin in Pakistan to their final destination in Afghanistan — a 20% decrease from USD 651 in the previous reporting period. Travel within Pakistan to the border cost more (USD 314) than the onward leg inside Afghanistan (USD 209). Exchange figures use the UN Operational Rate of PKR 277.51 to USD 1 as of 15 September 2026.

Most returnees travelled by truck (63%), followed by pick-up (24%), bus or mini bus (7%) and car (4%). All carried personal belongings, 95% carried cash, 90% brought household items and 66% brought productive assets.

What awaits returnees in Afghanistan?

Anticipated challenges are dominated by economics. Lack of income opportunities topped the list at 95%, with arranging livelihoods cited by 86%. Access to education concerned 73%, availability of medicine and health facilities 68%, arranging shelter 64%, settling into a new city 49% and clean drinking water 36%. Only 3% reported security concerns.

IOM's figures come from a harmonized methodology combining its Flow Monitoring Registry at the border, government counts, UNHCR data and official cross-border traveller statistics. The IOM-led Border Consortium in Afghanistan provides post-arrival assistance at Torkham and Spin Boldak. Full definitions and methodology appear in the IOM DTM bi-weekly report, and readers tracking individual status questions should consult IOM Pakistan ([email protected]) and official Pakistani authorities.