Nearly 5000 Afghan Migrants Deported From Iran, Pakistan In Single Day, Says Taliban

The Taliban’s High Commission for Addressing Migrants’ Issues has announced that a total of 4978 Afghan migrants were deported from Pakistan and Iran on Wednesday.

According to the commission, 3105 migrants were returned from Pakistan and 1873 from Iran. The deportations took place via multiple border crossings, including Torkham, Spin Boldak, Bahramcha, Angoor Ada, Pul-e-Abrisham, and Islam Qala.

Upon arrival, the returnees reportedly received a combined total of 7 million Afghanis in assistance. The Taliban also stated that 666 of the returnees were transferred from Kabul to various provinces, including Ghazni, Balkh, Jowzjan, Baghlan, Takhar, Kunduz, Logar, Paktia, and Paktika.

The large-scale deportations come amid growing concerns over the treatment and welfare of Afghan migrants in neighbouring countries. The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) recently reported that more than 250000 Afghans were returned from Pakistan and Iran during the month of April alone.

The agency has warned that many of those forced to return are now facing dire conditions, with a significant proportion being women and girls, who remain especially vulnerable under Afghanistan’s current socio-political climate.