In a significant surge of deportations, a total of 4,721 Afghan nationals were expelled from Pakistan and Iran on Wednesday alone, according to the Taliban’s High Commission for Migrants’ Affairs.
A statement issued Thursday revealed that 3,206 individuals were deported from Pakistan, while 1,515 were returned from Iran—marking one of the highest single-day deportation figures in recent months. The returnees crossed into Afghanistan via multiple official border points, including Torkham, Spin Boldak, Bahramcha, Angoor Ada, Islam Qala, and Pul-e-Abrisham.
Of the returnees, 1,551 were relocated to various Afghan provinces such as Ghazni, Logar, Khost, Paktia, Paktika, Baghlan, Takhar, Balkh, Jowzjan, and Kunduz.
The commission further stated that 7.7 million Afghani in cash assistance was distributed to the deportees to aid in their resettlement. However, no specific details were shared regarding the distribution criteria or process.
This uptick in forced returns follows a similar trend from the previous day, when 3,868 Afghans were deported, highlighting an accelerating wave of expulsions as neighbouring countries tighten their stance on undocumented Afghan migrants.
The ongoing deportations have drawn criticism from human rights groups, who warn that many of those forced to return face potential threats, economic uncertainty, and inadequate support within Afghanistan.
