Deepening Crisis: Pakistan and Iran Continue Mass Deportation of Afghan Refugees

KABUL, Afghanistan – The forced repatriation of Afghan refugees from neighboring Pakistan and Iran accelerated this week, with nearly 6,000 individuals crossing the border in a single day, according to Taliban officials. This latest wave is part of a escalating humanitarian crisis that has seen tens of thousands of Afghans return to a country grappling with severe economic collapse, widespread hunger, and a crippled public sector.

Daily Influx Overwhelms Border Crossings

According to a report published on social media by Mullah Hamdullah Fitrat, the Deputy spokesperson of the Islamic Emirate, 1,118 families, comprising 5,993 people, were forcibly expelled and returned to Afghanistan on Tuesday. The refugees entered through major border crossings, including:

• Islam Qala in Herat (from Iran)

• Silk Bridge in Nimroz (from Iran)

• Spin Boldak in Kandahar (from Pakistan)

• Bahramcha in Helmand (from Pakistan)

• Torkham in Nangarhar (from Pakistan)

This follows an even larger influx the previous day, when 10,405 refugees were reported to have returned. The numbers highlight the scale and speed of the deportation campaigns being implemented by Kabul’s neighbors.

Taliban Authorities Scramble to Respond

The Taliban’s Commission for Addressing Refugee Problems is attempting to manage the influx. Fitrat’s report stated that on Tuesday, 2,057 returnee families (12,151 people) were transported from border areas to their home provinces. Additionally, 1,184 families received some form of assistance, and 1,205 SIM cards were distributed to help with communication.

However, these efforts are widely seen as a drop in the bucket against the tide of human need. Afghanistan remains in the grip of one of the world’s most severe humanitarian emergencies, with over two-thirds of its population dependent on international aid.

Context of the Deportations

The expulsions are not a new phenomenon but have intensified dramatically in recent months.

• Pakistan’s Stance: The Pakistani government, which hosts an estimated 1.7 million undocumented Afghans, has defended its expulsion policy by citing security concerns and the strain on its economy. The deadline for undocumented migrants to leave voluntarily passed in November, leading to widespread reports of raids, detentions, and forced removals.

• Iran’s Policy: Iran, which hosts millions of Afghans, has also periodically engaged in mass deportations, often citing similar economic and security justifications.

A Looming Humanitarian Catastrophe

International aid organizations and human rights groups have repeatedly sounded the alarm. The sudden return of hundreds of thousands of people, many with little more than the clothes on their backs, is placing an unsustainable burden on an already fractured system.

“These returnees are arriving in the dead of winter, often with no homes, no jobs, and no prospects,” said a representative from an international NGO operating in Kabul, who spoke on condition of anonymity. “They are being added to the millions of internally displaced persons already within Afghanistan, creating a perfect storm for a massive humanitarian catastrophe.”

As Pakistan and Iran continue their enforcement actions, the flow of returnees shows no sign of abating, leaving the Taliban administration and aid agencies struggling to cope with a crisis that is only growing deeper.

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