KABUL (SW) – The International Organization for Migration (IOM) has reported that more than 18,000 Afghan citizens returned from Pakistan in January of 2025.
In a report published on its website on Wednesday, the IOM stated that these returnees came from Islamabad, the capital of Pakistan, and Rawalpindi, and have now returned to Afghanistan.
The IOM added that the return of Afghan citizens from Pakistan increased in the first two weeks of January compared to the following two weeks.
The report noted that 46% of those returning were between the ages of 18 and 59.
According to the IOM, 78% of returnees cited fear of detention as their reason for leaving, while 34% mentioned their inability to pay rent as the driving factor behind their return.
Pakistan is a key destination for Afghan migrants, with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) reporting that approximately 2.9 million Afghan citizens currently reside in the country.
