Taliban Reports Forced Return of 5,656 Afghan Migrants in One Day
The Taliban administration announced that yesterday, 1,066 families, comprising 5,656 individuals, were forcibly returned from neighboring countries to Afghanistan. This data indicates that the expulsion of Afghan migrants continues at a rapid pace.
Hamdullah Fetrat, deputy spokesman for the Taliban administration, said in a statement released on Saturday, May 16, that from the Torkham border in Nangarhar province alone, 896 families consisting of 4,845 people entered the country. Torkham is considered one of the most important border crossings between Afghanistan and Pakistan.
According to the statement, 83 families arrived from the Spin Boldak border in Kandahar province, 60 families from the Nimroz border, and another 27 families from the Islam Qala border in Herat were also returned to the country. These borders are among the main routes for Afghan migrants traveling to and from Pakistan and Iran.
The widespread return of migrants continues while many of these families face serious challenges such as economic hardship, lack of shelter, and limited job opportunities within the country. The increasing number of returnees has put additional pressure on basic services in border provinces and other areas.
The World Food Programme also issued a warning yesterday that the forced return of migrants from Pakistan and Iran has exacerbated the humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan. Despite this situation, the Taliban administration has yet to provide details of a specific and comprehensive plan to sustainably address the needs of the returnees, raising concerns among aid organizations and vulnerable families.
