KABUL, AFGHANISTAN – More than 1,000 Afghan families were sent back from Iran and Pakistan on Tuesday, as both countries continue to intensify their crackdown on Afghan refugees, according to the Taliban-run Bakhtar News Agency.
The agency said 765 families crossed into Afghanistan from Iran through the Islam Qala and Silk Bridge border points. Another 301 families returned from Pakistan via Torkham, Spin Boldak, and Angoor Ada crossings.
Upon arrival, the families were provided with basic assistance, the agency added.
Iran and Pakistan have stepped up deportations in recent months, pushing thousands of Afghans to return to a country grappling with a deepening humanitarian crisis and widespread human rights abuses under Taliban rule.
Many of those returning had fled Afghanistan to escape poverty or fear of Taliban retribution following the group’s return to power in 2021.
Since September 2023, more than 2.4 million Afghan refugees have either been deported or have returned from the two neighboring countries, according to the International Organization for Migration (IOM).
Despite repeated appeals from the UN and rights groups, the deportations have continued. Pakistan has recently expanded its campaign to include Afghan nationals holding legal documents such as Afghan Citizen Cards (ACC) and Proof of Registration (PoR) cards, citing security concerns after a rise in attacks.
Iran has also announced plans to escalate deportations, saying it will send back over two million Afghans this year.
