NewKerala.com

Afghan Refugee Crisis: Over 5,700 Forcibly Repatriated in a Single Day

More than 5,700 Afghan refugees were sent back from Iran and Pakistan in just one day. The Taliban shared details of the returns through multiple border crossings. This comes as the UN reports a massive spike in Afghan arrests within Pakistan this year. Humanitarian organizations are warning that these forced returns are creating a severe crisis.

Key Points: Taliban Reports 5700 Afghan Refugees Forcibly Repatriated from Iran Pakistan

  • Over 5,780 refugees returned via five key border crossings into Afghanistan
  • UNHCR reports a record 100,971 Afghan arrests in Pakistan in 2025
  • 76% of those detained lacked formal refugee documentation
  • Aid groups warn mass expulsions cause instability and humanitarian crisis
2 min read

Over 5700 Afghan refugees repatriated from Iran, Pakistan in single day

Over 5,700 Afghan refugees were forcibly returned from Iran and Pakistan in one day, as UN reports record arrests of Afghans in Pakistan in 2025.

"4,591 Afghan refugees were forcibly deported from Iran and Pakistan on Thursday. - Mullah Hamdullah Fitrat, Taliban Deputy Spokesperson"

Kabul, Dec 19

More than 5700 Afghan refugees were forcibly repatriated from Pakistan and Iran in a single day, a top Taliban official stated on Friday.

Sharing the High Commission for Addressing Migrants’ Issues report on X, Taliban Deputy Spokesperson Mullah Hamdullah Fitrat stated that 1,084 families, comprising 5,780 people, returned to Afghanistan on Thursday, Pajhwok Afghan News reported.

He said that Afghan returnees travelled to Afghanistan through the Islam Qala crossing in Herat, Bahramcha in Helmand, Torkham crossing in Nangarhar, Pul-i-Abresham in Nimroz and Spin Boldak in Kandahar. He stated that 1,178 families, comprising 6,561 people, were taken to their respective areas, while 974 families were provided humanitarian assistance.

Furthermore, telecommunication firms provided 1,019 SIM cards to refugees who recently returned to Afghanistan.

Fitrat stated that 4,591 Afghan refugees were forcibly deported from Iran and Pakistan on Thursday.

Earlier in November, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) revealed that Pakistan has detained a record number of Afghan migrants in 2025, with the highest number of arrests reported in Balochistan and Punjab provinces.

A new UNHCR report has revealed that the majority of arrests were made in Chagai and Quetta districts of Balochistan and Attock districts of Punjab, Afghanistan's leading news agency Khaama Press reported.

According to the agency, Pakistani authorities arrested 100,971 Afghans between January 1 and mid-November 2025, a record rise compared with about 9,000 arrests in 2024 and over 26,000 in 2023.

UNHCR said 76 per cent of those detained were Afghan Citizen Card holders or undocumented migrants, while the remaining 24 per cent possessed Proof of Registration cards.

The rise in detention of Afghan migrants comes after two government orders in 2025, which directed the removal of Afghan migrants from Islamabad and Rawalpindi and allowed police to arrest PoR-card holders.

Several humanitarian organisations have urged Pakistan to ensure that any returns are voluntary and in accordance with international obligations. They warned that mass expulsions cause instability along the Afghanistan border, where newly returned families often lack housing, employment and basic services.

- IANS

Share this article:

Reader Comments

R
Rohit P
While Pakistan's internal policies are its own, the sheer scale of this action is concerning. Over 100,000 arrests in less than a year? This will create immense pressure on Afghanistan's already fragile economy and social structure. Stability in our region is crucial for India's security as well.
A
Aman W
Providing SIM cards is a small gesture, but what about roti, kapda, aur makaan? These people need jobs, shelter, and healthcare. The Taliban spokesperson sharing reports on X feels like optics. The real story is the suffering of those 6,500+ people sent back to an uncertain future.
S
Sarah B
From a geopolitical perspective, this mass movement risks destabilizing the entire Afghanistan-Pakistan border region. Instability there has a way of spreading. Humanitarian organizations are right to sound the alarm. Hope cooler heads prevail and returns are made voluntary and safe.
K
Karthik V
It's a complex issue. Pakistan has hosted refugees for decades, and that comes with a burden. But the method matters. Forcibly sending back families, including those with registration cards, seems harsh. There has to be a more phased and humane approach coordinated with the UN.
N
Nikhil C
Respectfully, I think we need to be careful about how we frame this. The article says "forcibly repatriated" based on a Taliban statement. We should also seek Pakistan's version. Every country has the right to manage its borders and undocumented migrants, especially given security concerns in that region.

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

Leave a Comment

Minimum 50 characters 0/50