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Afghan Refugee Crisis: Over 5,500 Forcibly Deported in a Single Day

More than 5,500 Afghan refugees were forcibly sent back from Iran and Pakistan in just one day. People arriving at the border have nothing, having left all their belongings behind. They are now facing a cold winter with no shelter, money, or immediate job prospects. The Taliban's migrant commission is providing some aid, but returnees are pleading for urgent support from their own government.

Key Points: Taliban Reports 5500 Afghan Refugees Forcibly Deported from Iran, Pakistan

  • Over 5,591 refugees from 863 families were deported in a single day through five major border crossings
  • Returnees report mistreatment by Pakistani police and abandonment of all property
  • Deported families face immediate crises with no shelter, money, or aid in winter
  • The Taliban's migrant commission provided humanitarian aid and SIM cards to some returning families
2 min read

Over 5500 Afghan refugees forcibly deported from Iran, Pakistan in single day

Over 5,500 Afghan refugees were forcibly repatriated from Iran and Pakistan in one day, facing winter without shelter or belongings, as the Taliban reports.

"We were forcibly expelled; some of our belongings remained there. Here, we have neither money nor shelter. The problems are overwhelming; it’s cold, and winter has arrived. - Jamaluddin, deportee"

Kabul, Dec 18

More than 5500 Afghan refugees were forcibly repatriated from Pakistan and Iran in a single day on Wednesday, a top Taliban official stated on Thursday.

Sharing the High Commission for Addressing Migrants’ Issues report on X, Taliban Deputy Spokesperson Mullah Hamdullah Fitrat stated that 863 families, comprising 5,591 people, returned to Afghanistan on Wednesday, Pajhwok Afghan News reported.

He said that Afghan returnees travelled to Afghanistan through the Islam Qala crossing in Herat, Bahramcha in Helmand, Pul-i-Abresham in Nimroz, Torkham crossing in Nangarhar and Spin Boldak in Kandahar. He stated that 1,311 families, comprising 7,165 people, were taken to their respective areas, while 849 families were provided humanitarian assistance.

Furthermore, telecommunication firms provided 937 SIM cards to refugees who recently returned to Afghanistan.

Fitrat stated that 3005 Afghan refugees were forcibly deported from Iran and Pakistan on Tuesday.

As the deportation of Afghan refugees from Iran and Pakistan continues, several returnees living in a migrant camp in Kabul have criticised the Pakistani police's mistreatment and mentioned that all their belongings were left behind in that country, Afghanistan's Tolo News reported.

Last week, Afghan returnees raised immediate demand for shelter, land, economic assistance, and job opportunities.

Speaking to Tolo News, Jamaluddin, who has been deported from Pakistan, said: "We were forcibly expelled; some of our belongings remained there. Here, we have neither money nor shelter. The problems are overwhelming; it’s cold, and winter has arrived."

Another deportee from Pakistan, Gulzar, said: "We were expelled. That country was foreign. Now we’ve returned to our homeland, and I call on the Islamic Emirate to support us."

Several deported Afghan refugees have said that they have lost all their property and belongings in Pakistan and have urged the Taliban to provide shelter, emergency aid, and employment opportunities.

Jan Mohammad, a returnee from Iran, said: "The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan must help these people; they have no place to live. I myself am heading to Jawzjan province and have nowhere to stay."

- IANS

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Reader Comments

S
Sarah B
The scale is staggering - over 5500 in one day. Pakistan and Iran have hosted refugees for decades, but their economies are under strain too. It's a complex crisis with no easy answers. The focus now must be on immediate shelter and winter aid.
A
Arjun K
A very difficult situation. Our region has seen so much instability. The Taliban government's primary duty is to its own citizens. Providing SIM cards is a start, but they need a concrete plan for housing and jobs, not just statements on X.
P
Priyanka N
"We were forcibly expelled; some of our belongings remained there." This line hits hard. Imagine building a life somewhere for years and then being uprooted overnight. The mistreatment by police is unacceptable. Basic dignity should be maintained.
V
Vikram M
This will put immense pressure on Afghanistan's resources. Where is the aid from wealthy Gulf nations or the West who were involved there for 20 years? They have a responsibility. India has always provided humanitarian assistance, hope we can help in some way.
K
Kiran H
A respectful criticism: While the deportations seem harsh, we must also understand the security and economic pressures on Pakistan and Iran. They are not rich countries. The long-term solution lies in peace and stability inside Afghanistan so people don't have to flee.

We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.

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