The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has raised alarm over the 'forced' repatriation of Afghan nationals from Pakistan, with figures from the Hamza Baba transit point in Landi Kotal indicating that daily returnee numbers have surpassed 10,000 — a figure that has tripled compared to levels recorded in May and June 2025. The development follows Pakistan's order mandating all Afghan nationals to return to Afghanistan, triggering what officials and humanitarian observers describe as a mass, fear-driven exodus.

Scale of the Returns

Data from the Hamza Baba transit point in Landi Kotal and the Torkham border crossing reveals a dramatic surge in crossings. Officials at the transit point confirmed that more than 10,000 Afghans are returning daily, with many fleeing the fear of a government crackdown. Notably, Afghan nationals both with and without valid identity documents are rushing to the border to avoid detention.

According to the UNHCR, approximately 2,560,000 Afghans have returned to their country since the launch of Pakistan's Illegal Foreigners Repatriation Plan (IFRP) in November 2023. Of these, 260,000 were formally deported by immigration authorities for overstaying without legal travel documents. An estimated 900,000 Afghan refugees and asylum seekers are still reportedly residing in Pakistan.

What UNHCR Said

Qaiser Khan Afridi, spokesperson for UNHCR Pakistan, expressed serious concern over Islamabad's decision to forcibly return Afghan refugees and asylum seekers. 'UNHCR remains particularly concerned about women and girls forced to return to a country where their human rights are at risk, as well as other groups who might be at risk,' he said.

Afridi urged Pakistani authorities to ensure that any returns are voluntary, safe and dignified. The agency has specifically appealed for exemptions from forced return for Afghans with continued international protection needs, particularly those facing refoulement risks — a term referring to the return of individuals to places where they face serious threats to their life or freedom.

Vulnerable Groups at Risk

The UNHCR identified several categories of Afghans it considers especially vulnerable, including female heads of households, women and girls enrolled in educational institutions in Pakistan, individuals from ethnic and religious minorities, human rights defenders, journalists, performing artists, and members of the transgender community. Under Taliban rule in Afghanistan, many of these groups face documented restrictions on movement, education, and civil participation.

What Comes Next

Officials at the border expect repatriation numbers to climb further in the coming days, as more Pakistani government departments intensify their focus on the removal process. The scale of the current movement — with daily figures already tripling the May–June baseline — suggests the pace will continue as long as enforcement pressure remains. The UNHCR's public appeal marks a significant escalation in the humanitarian community's pushback against Islamabad's approach, and international scrutiny of the operation is likely to intensify.