Nearly 100,000 movements into Afghanistan from Iran and Pakistan were recorded over a two-week period, while more than 39,000 movements were recorded out of the country toward the two neighbors, according to new data from the International Organization for Migration. Almost three-quarters of the arrivals came from Iran.
IOM recorded 99,769 inflows between Sept. 27 and Oct. 10, including 72,699 from Iran and 27,070 from Pakistan. The number of inflows increased by 4,098 compared with the previous two-week reporting period.
The data show deportation remained a major driver of returns from Iran.
Among Afghans surveyed while entering from Iran, 61% cited deportation as a reason for traveling to Afghanistan. Another 20% cited visiting family and 6% said they were moving to join family members.
IOM cautioned that the 99,769 figure represents movements recorded at monitored border points, not unique individuals. The total can include returnees, deportees and people making temporary or repeated journeys across the border.
Of the movements from Iran, 41,183 were recorded at the Islam Qala crossing, 30,089 at Pul-e-Abrisham, also known as Milak, and 1,427 at Abu Nasr Farahi.
The survey found that 43% of Afghans arriving from Iran had lived there for at least a year, while 26% had stayed between three months and one year and 31% for less than three months.
More than half, 51%, said they intended to remain in Afghanistan for at least a year. Another 21% had not decided how long they would stay.
Forty-two percent of respondents arriving from Iran reported having no documentation. Forty-five percent had a tazkira, or Afghan national identity card, while 22% reported having a passport and 14% a visa. Respondents could report more than one type of documentation.
More than 27,000 movements from Pakistan
IOM recorded 27,070 movements from Pakistan into Afghanistan during the same period, including 13,760 through Spin Boldak and 6,654 through Torkham.
Among Afghans surveyed while entering from Pakistan, 47% said they felt unsafe or under pressure to leave the country. Twenty-eight percent cited the lower cost of living in Afghanistan, while 17% said they were visiting family.
Many had spent significant periods in Pakistan. Fifty-seven percent said they had lived there for at least a year, and 33% said they had been born in Pakistan or had lived there since they were young.
Eighty-two percent said they planned to remain in Afghanistan for at least a year, according to the survey.
More than 39,000 movements out of Afghanistan
Despite the large number of arrivals, cross-border movement continued in the opposite direction.
IOM recorded 39,540 movements out of Afghanistan during the two weeks, including 30,464 toward Iran and 9,076 toward Pakistan.
Among Afghans surveyed while traveling to Iran, 57% cited work as a reason for going there and 13% cited losing work in Afghanistan. Only 14% reported having been employed in Afghanistan before leaving.
Among those traveling to Pakistan, 61% cited health care as a reason for their journey, while 35% were visiting family and 18% cited work.
The report separately showed that 1,568 Afghans returned from Türkiye in September, bringing the number recorded since January 2024 to 53,877. IOM said those figures can include both voluntary and forced returns.
Among the September returnees from Türkiye, 76% cited police harassment and 22% cited arbitrary arrest and detention as reasons for returning.
IOM said its figures reflect movements captured at specific monitored crossings and should not be treated as a complete picture of migration into and out of Afghanistan.
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