The repatriation of Afghan refugees from Balochistan has accelerated significantly, with thousands of Afghan families leaving the provincial capital Quetta and surrounding areas to return to Afghanistan. According to credible sources and official data, more than 11,600 Afghan refugees were repatriated in the last 24 hours through a legal and dignified process. This large-scale operation is part of the government’s national security, documentation verification, and illegal migrant repatriation plan, which has intensified pressure on the Afghan community in the province.
These latest figures align with reports from the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and the International Organization for Migration (IOM). Since October 2023, over 1.5 million Afghan nationals have returned from Pakistan, with Balochistan playing a major role in the process. The province initially hosted around 313,000 registered Afghan refugees, but this number is now rapidly declining. Independent sources estimate that over 1.6 million Afghans have returned from Pakistan overall, with more than 40,000 departing from Balochistan in the past month alone constituting over 25% of the total national repatriation. Nationally, 1.696 million refugees have returned, consistent with UNHCR and IOM’s 2025 data, of which approximately 350,000 were from Balochistan representing 11% of the province’s Afghan population.
In just the past week, more than 50,000 returns have taken place from Balochistan, with the process reportedly more organized and swift compared to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Punjab.
From Quetta’s well-known Afghan settlements such as Eastern Bypass, Bileli, Chughtai, and Pishin, thousands of families are leaving behind their homes, shops, and belongings. Quetta’s Deputy Commissioner, Mehrullah Badini, stated:
“The repatriation is voluntary and legal, but the pace has accelerated due to security and economic challenges. Families who have lived here for 35-40 years are now selling their properties at low prices, which is also impacting the local economy.”
According to UNHCR, 16 Afghan refugee camps in Balochistan including those in Quetta, Loralai, and Killa Saifullah have been closed. These camps were once home to thousands of refugees belonging to Hazara, Pashtun, and other communities.
The Government of Balochistan has established 49 holding centers, with three centers in Quetta, Chughtai, and Pishin being used for screening and document verification. The federal interior ministry reports that the repatriation is taking place in three phases: first undocumented refugees, then ACC (Afghan Citizen Card) holders, and finally PoR (Proof of Registration) card holders. By November 2025, the target of closing 54 camps across the province has been achieved, displacing thousands of families.
Humanitarian Aspect and International Aid
The ongoing repatriation is significantly affecting Balochistan’s economy and social fabric, as Afghan refugees had long established businesses, housing schemes, and small enterprises in the province. According to UNHCR, 70% of the returning families consist of women and children, many of whom are now facing poverty, unemployment, and restrictive laws under Taliban rule in Afghanistan.
A recent IOM survey revealed that of the 109,000 refugees who returned from Pakistan between April and May 2025, 40% were from Balochistan, and many are struggling with severe shortages of food, healthcare, and shelter upon arrival. The local business community in Balochistan reports that the departure of Afghan refugees has emptied local markets and led to thousands of job losses.
The Government of Pakistan and Balochistan authorities maintain that the repatriation is essential for national security and resource management, emphasizing that the process is being carried out with dignity and legality. The Interior Minister recently announced that by the end of 2025, the return of all undocumented refugees will be completed, with Balochistan accounting for over 20% of the total.
In light of this challenge, UNHCR has appealed for $2.4 billion in aid for 2025 to support the reintegration of returning refugees. Balochistan continues to play a central role in Pakistan’s repatriation process an effort that is fundamentally reshaping the province’s economic and social landscape.
