Over 5,400 Afghans Return from Iran and Pakistan in One Day Amid Ongoing Deportations

KABUL, 21.12.2025 – More than 5,400 Afghan migrants were deported from neighboring Iran and Pakistan in a single day, a senior official confirmed on Sunday. This marks the latest surge in a persistent wave of forced returns to Afghanistan, which has strained the country’s humanitarian and economic resources since the Taliban’s return to power.

Hamdullah Fitrat, deputy spokesman for the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA), shared the latest figures from the High Commission for Migrants’ Issues on his social media account. The report indicates that on Saturday alone, 981 families, comprising 5,412 individuals, returned to Afghanistan from the two neighboring nations.

The returnees entered the country through five major border crossings: Islam Qala in Herat (with Iran), Pul-i-Abresham in Nimroz (with Iran), Spin Boldak in Kandahar (with Pakistan), Bahramcha in Helmand (with Pakistan), and Torkham in Nangarhar (with Pakistan).

According to Fitrat, the IEA’s migrant commission provided immediate logistical and aid support. A total of 1,283 families (5,992 individuals) were transported from the border areas to their provinces of origin. Additionally, 894 families received humanitarian assistance packages, which typically include food and basic supplies. In a move to facilitate reintegration, 861 SIM cards were distributed to returnees by telecommunications companies to help them connect with family and access services.

This latest influx follows a similar pattern from the previous day, Friday, when 5,028 Afghan migrants were also repatriated from Iran and Pakistan. The consistent scale of returns highlights the ongoing pressures on Afghan communities abroad.

Context and Humanitarian Concerns:
Pakistan and Iran, which host millions of Afghan refugees and migrants, have recently intensified their efforts to deport individuals lacking legal status. Both nations cite economic and security concerns for these crackdowns. For Afghanistan, the rapid return of thousands of citizens, particularly as winter approaches, poses a severe challenge. The country is already grappling with a dire economic crisis, entrenched unemployment, and a fragile humanitarian situation exacerbated by the withdrawal of much international aid.

The Islamic Emirate has stated it is working to receive and assist returnees, but international aid agencies warn that the existing support systems are overwhelmed. Many returnees arrive with minimal belongings, face homelessness, and lack prospects for livelihoods, raising fears of a deepening internal displacement crisis.

As deportations continue, the strain on Afghanistan’s borders and receiving communities is expected to intensify, underscoring the urgent need for coordinated humanitarian response and sustainable reintegration strategies.

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