Over 3,500 Afghan refugees were brought back to Afghanistan from Iran and Pakistan in a single day, as confirmed by a Taliban official. The returnees, totaling 745 families and 3,513 individuals, entered Afghanistan through various border crossings such as Islam Qala, Pul-i-Abresham, Spin Boldak, Bahramcha, and Torkham. Among them, 627 families were resettled in their home regions, while 660 families received humanitarian aid upon arrival, including 714 SIM cards provided by telecommunication companies.
The repatriation efforts followed the deportation of 3,610 Afghan refugees from Iran and Pakistan the day before. Afghan refugees in Pakistan have expressed concerns about mistreatment by local authorities, reporting instances of harassment, arrests, and exploitation. They highlighted the lack of basic human rights and the prevailing fear and insecurity among the refugee community.
Tensions between the Taliban and Pakistan have led to increased pressure on Afghan refugees in Pakistan, with reports of daily harassment and extortion by Pakistani forces. The refugees face challenging living conditions and a lack of respect for their rights, with concerns raised by human rights organizations over the government’s failure to protect refugees adequately.
