Iran and Pakistan Deport Over 6,000 Afghan Migrants in 24 Hours

Mass Deportations Continue from Neighboring Nations

In the last 24 hours, Iran and Pakistan have deported more than 6,000 Afghan migrants, as reported by the Taliban-run commission for refugee affairs. This recent influx includes 4,591 individuals returned from Pakistan and 1,691 from Iran, highlighting the ongoing large-scale repatriation efforts by Afghanistan's neighboring countries.

The deportations from Pakistan primarily occurred through the Torkham, Spin Boldak, and Bahramcha border crossings. Those expelled from Iran entered Afghanistan via the Islam Qala crossing in Herat province and the Silk Road crossing in Nimroz.

Escalating Repatriation Efforts and Underlying Factors

This recent event is part of a broader, intensified campaign by both Iran and Pakistan to deport undocumented Afghan nationals. Over the past year, millions of Afghan migrants have been compelled to return as both nations implement stricter migration policies. According to Amnesty International, citing UN figures, more than 2.6 million people have been unlawfully returned to Afghanistan from Iran and Pakistan alone this year. UN experts also noted that over 1.9 million Afghans have been returned or forced to return from Iran and Pakistan so far in 2025.

Pakistan's rationale for these deportations often cites perceived security risks and the alleged involvement of Afghans in terrorist activities. The country's government announced in October 2023 that all illegal immigrants must leave or face deportation, a measure that has significantly impacted nearly two million undocumented Afghans. Iran has also seen mass expulsions, with over 900,000 Afghans unlawfully expelled between July and October 2025, following the expiration of 'headcount' documents for Afghans.

Humanitarian Crisis and International Concerns

The mass returns are placing immense strain on Afghanistan's already fragile economy and overstretched humanitarian system, particularly as winter approaches and job opportunities remain scarce. Aid agencies have issued warnings about the severe pressure on the country, which is ill-equipped to provide for such large displaced populations. Many returnees face extreme poverty, unemployment, and a lack of financial support.

A significant portion of those being returned are vulnerable individuals, with UN figures indicating that about 60% of the returnees are women and children. Many of these individuals have spent decades in Iran or Pakistan and have never lived in Afghanistan, or have no memory of it. Returnees have urged the Taliban administration to provide essential services such as shelter, employment opportunities, and access to necessary supplies.

International organizations, including Amnesty International and UN experts, have called for an immediate halt to these forced returns, emphasizing that Afghanistan is not a safe country for returnees given the deteriorating human rights situation under Taliban rule. The Taliban-run commission for refugee affairs has established various committees and claimed to have set up residential settlements to manage the influx and address the needs of the returnees.