Over 800 Afghan Families Returned in a Single Day Amid Forced Repatriations
The Taliban administration has announced that, continuing the process of forced expulsion and repatriation of Afghan refugees, 812 families comprising 4,214 individuals have entered the country in just one day. This figure pertains to Wednesday, February 18.
Hamdullah Fetrat, Deputy Spokesperson of the Taliban administration, stated in a press release that the majority of returnees entered Afghanistan through the Torkham border crossing. According to him, 591 families totaling 3,150 individuals arrived via this route.
According to the provided information, 155 families returned through the Spin Boldak border in Kandahar province, 39 families from the Nimroz border, 19 families through the Islam Qala crossing in Herat, and eight families through the Bahramcha checkpoint in Helmand province.
Meanwhile, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) had earlier reported that thousands of Afghans are being expelled or forced to return from Pakistan every day. The agency warned that many returning families face shortages of shelter, healthcare services, and severe economic hardships.
This continued process occurs as Afghanistan grapples with a widespread economic crisis, drought, earthquakes, and floods. Despite this dire situation, the Taliban administration has yet to present a clear and effective plan for the sustainable settlement and support of returnees — a factor that has heightened concerns over increasing poverty and destitution among newly arrived families.
