Nearly 500 Afghan Migrant Families Returned From Iran, Pakistan, Says Taliban

The Taliban-controlled Bakhtar News Agency reported on Monday that 480 Afghan migrant families have returned from Iran and Pakistan within the past 24 hours.

According to the report, the families were repatriated through several key border crossings, including Torkham, Spin Boldak, Angoor Ada, Bahramcha, Pul-e-Abrisham, and Islam Qala.

Both the Islamic Republic of Iran and Pakistan have been detaining and deporting undocumented Afghan migrants for several months, a process that continues despite diplomatic engagements.

Mihyung Park, head of the International Organization for Migration (IOM) in Afghanistan, previously warned that the country is now experiencing a second wave of mass returns from Iran and Pakistan.

In an earlier statement, the Taliban’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs noted that during a meeting between Taliban foreign minister Amir Khan Muttaqi and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, the two sides discussed bilateral relations and the ongoing situation of Afghan migrants. Similar discussions have reportedly taken place with Mohammad Sadiq, Pakistan’s special envoy for Afghanistan.

However, the Taliban’s continued reporting of daily deportations suggests that these diplomatic efforts have had minimal impact on the ongoing expulsions of Afghan nationals by both neighbouring countries.