Photo: Social Media

Iran and Pakistan Deport Over 3,800 Afghan Refugees in a Single Day, Taliban Reports

KABUL, AFGHANISTAN – The Taliban authorities report that around 3,884 Afghan refugees were repatriated from Iran and Pakistan on Monday, June 24, through both forced and voluntary means.

The Taliban Ministry of Refugee and Repatriation (MoRR) announced that approximately 3,399 Afghan refugees returned from Iran via the Islam Qala crossing point in Herat and the Silk Bridge border in Nimruz provinces.

According to the Taliban’s statement, among those repatriated from Iran, 818 individuals identified as in need were referred to the International Organization for Migration (IOM) for assistance.

In a separate statement on social media today, June 25, the Taliban ministry reported that around 485 Afghan refugees were forcefully repatriated from Pakistan through the Torkham and Spin Boldak crossing points on Monday.

The ministry stated that after registering these individuals, they were referred to the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and the International Organization for Migration (IOM) to receive assistance.

For decades, Afghanistan’s western and southern neighbors, Iran and Pakistan, have hosted millions of Afghan refugees fleeing conflict, political instability, and economic hardship in their homeland.

Following the US and NATO military withdrawal from Afghanistan in August 2021, which led to the return to power of the Taliban, hundreds of thousands more fled the country, mainly to Iran and Pakistan, fearing Taliban retaliation.

According to the UN, Iran currently hosts about 4.5 million Afghan refugees, while Pakistan hosts approximately 3.2 million, with most refugees being women and children, totaling around 7.7 million Afghan refugees in both countries.

The enforcement of anti-migrant policies and ongoing crackdowns on undocumented Afghan refugees in Iran and Pakistan have led to the deportation of over 1.5 million Afghan refugees back to Taliban-controlled Afghanistan in recent years.

Upon returning, they face worsening economic, humanitarian, and healthcare conditions, which have deteriorated since the Taliban’s return to power and have been exacerbated by recent natural disasters. The UN reports that over 23 million people, including more than 9 million children, rely on humanitarian aid this year.

The UN and human rights organizations, including Amnesty International, have repeatedly called on Afghanistan’s neighboring countries to continue supporting refugees, particularly vulnerable individuals seeking safety due to security concerns.

Pakistani authorities argue that undocumented refugees are a significant source of insecurity and illegal activities in their country. They justify the crackdown as a counter-terrorism measure, citing a recent increase in security incidents in the country.