Continued Arrests and Deportations of Afghan Migrants from Iran and Pakistan
Iranian security authorities have confirmed the arrest of 230 undocumented Afghan migrants in the southeastern province of Sistan and Baluchestan. The individuals were detained by Iranian police in the districts of Nimruz and Zahak.
According to Hossein Mirsoufi, the security chief of Iran’s Nimruz district, the arrests were carried out under what authorities have described as a ‘Social Security Enhancement Plan.’ Iranian media reports that, during the same police operation, five individuals were arrested on charges of theft, and 13 others were detained for drug use or drug trafficking.
Mirsoufi added that 13 vehicles were also seized by police in the course of the operation. Iranian authorities refer to undocumented Afghan migrants as ‘unauthorized foreign nationals.’
These measures come amid a growing wave of deportations of Afghan migrants from neighboring countries, particularly Pakistan. The Taliban’s High Commission for Refugee Affairs reported that on Tuesday, November 17, over 7,070 Afghan migrants were expelled from Pakistan and returned via the Torkham, Spin Boldak, Islam Qala, and Silk Bridge border crossings.
The day before, Pakistan expelled more than 7,800 Afghan citizens. Increasing pressure on Afghan migrants across the region—without comprehensive return and reintegration plans—has created a significant crisis for displaced families. The Taliban administration has so far limited its response to collecting statistical data, without presenting any strategic solutions to address the migrants’ situation.
