Back but Not Home: Reintegration Realities and Returnee Resilience in Pakistan

This paper examines the reintegration of returnees in Pakistan based on field research carried out in December 2024, in partnership with two local organizations. The paper looks at the socio-economic and psychological aspects of reintegration, evaluates the current reintegration programs and lists areas to develop a better cooperation with international partners such as StartHope@home. According to the interviews, returnees often face three main challenges: economic sustainability, social stigma, and mental health problems. The Pakistani labor market absorbs 1.5 million new entrants annually (World Bank, 2013; Pakistan Bureau of Statistics, 2022); therefore, most returnees find economic support through self-employment in sectors such as agriculture, dairy farming, and small trading. On the social front, returnees are subjected to societal scrutiny, emotional loneliness, and feelings of failure. One of these organizations focuses on business development and family involvement, while the other one provides psychosocial counseling and raises awareness through storytelling. Both organizations emphasize the importance of holistic approaches in reintegration, including long-term accompaniment, mental health, and community integration. It is estimated that 25 percent of the returnees re-migrate, with 7 percent returning to Europe. The study concludes with recommendations for skills training, family-oriented business models, and psychosocial support. Strengthening cooperation with local agents and improving data on reintegration outcomes are key to achieving sustainable returns. These findings also present an opportunity to policymakers and practitioners who intend to investigate how to strengthen reintegration measures in Pakistan and beyond.