KABUL – Nearly 60,000 Afghans have been forced out of Pakistan since April 1, according to the International Organization for Migration (IOM), as Islamabad ramps up deportations targeting Afghans with Afghan Citizen Cards (ACC). The exodus marks the second phase of Pakistan’s drive to remove 800,000 ACC holders.
The deportations, mainly through Torkham and Spin Boldak border crossings, echo scenes from 2023, with families crowding crossings amid rising humanitarian concerns. The Taliban condemned the expulsions as “unacceptable,” while IOM urged countries to halt forced returns until safe, voluntary conditions are ensured.
Tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan remain high, with Islamabad linking Afghans to terrorism and narcotics, denying any extension beyond April 30 for undocumented Afghans. Since September 2023, over 2.43 million Afghans have returned from Pakistan and Iran, more than half through forced repatriation.
