disaster
UNHCR-IOM Pakistan Flash update # 102 on Arrest and Detention/Flow Monitoring, 15 Sep 2023 to 11 Jul 2026
By International Organization for Migration at ReliefWeb
· July 16, 2026
· 2 min read
Countries: Pakistan, Afghanistan . In response to the Ministry of Interior's (MoI) decision of 26 September 2023 to enact an “Illegal Foreigners' Repatriation Plan”, UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency and IOM, the UN Migration Agency, have collated their data on the arrest, detention, and deportation of P
Key takeaway In July, the GoP issued a Statutory Regulation Order (SRO) directing the repatriation/deportation of PoR card holders following the expiry of PoR card validity on 30 June.
Why this matters
The situation in Pakistan highlights the complexities of balancing national security concerns with humanitarian obligations. The Pakistani government's efforts to repatriate Afghan nationals, including those with Proof of Registration cards, raises concerns about the potential for involuntary returns and the impact on vulnerable populations. The directives issued by the Government of Pakistan in 2025, including the relocation of Afghan nationals from certain areas and the implementation of the "Illegal Foreigners' Repatriation Plan", demonstrate a growing trend towards stricter migration policies. The response from UNHCR, urging exemptions for Afghans with international protection needs, underscores the need for a nuanced approach that takes into account the diverse circumstances of Afghan nationals in Pakistan. As the situation continues to unfold, it will be crucial to monitor the treatment of Afghan nationals and the implementation of Pakistan's repatriation policies, particularly in light of the country's obligations to protect refugees and asylum seekers.
About this story
Original reporting by ReliefWeb . Christgiving surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit ReliefWeb . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: disaster ·
Published: July 16, 2026 ·
Source: ReliefWeb ·
Reading time: 2 min
Get more Christgiving stories like this
Free weekly briefing covering disaster and other local news. Curated by our editorial team. No spam.
By subscribing you agree to our privacy policy . Unsubscribe anytime.
Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? Countries: Pakistan, Afghanistan . In response to the Ministry of Interior's (MoI) decision of 26 September 2023 to enact an “Illegal Foreigners' Repatriation Plan”, UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency and IOM, the UN Migration Agency, have collated their data on the arrest, detention, and deportation of P
When was this published? This article was first published on July 16, 2026 by ReliefWeb and curated for Christgiving readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by International Organization for Migration at ReliefWeb. To learn more about how Christgiving selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more disaster coverage from Christgiving, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .