Surge in Afghan Refugee Expulsions: Over 6,600 Return from Pakistan and Iran in One Day
The Taliban administration announced that on Sunday, April 18, a total of 6,619 Afghan migrants were expelled from Pakistan and Iran and returned to Afghanistan. According to the Migration Issues Commission, 6,148 individuals returned from Pakistan and 471 from Iran.
The commission stated that the deported migrants re-entered the country through border crossings at Torkham in Nangarhar province, Spin Boldak in Kandahar, Islam Qala in Herat, and Pul-e-Abresham in Nimroz. Officials added that the returnees have been registered and assistance has been provided to them; however, the details regarding the type and amount of aid remain unclear.
This increase in deportations comes amid escalating political and security tensions between Pakistan and the Taliban administration, with Pakistan intensifying the expulsion of Afghan migrants. In the two days preceding this, over 5,000 migrants were also expelled from Pakistan.
The rise in mass expulsions occurs as many of these families face severe economic challenges and a lack of employment opportunities within Afghanistan. Given limited resources and the absence of transparent programs for resettlement and job placement for returnees, concerns about their humanitarian and livelihood conditions remain high.
