KABUL, Afghanistan — More than 12,000 families have been deported or repatriated from Iran and Pakistan in the past two weeks, according to figures compiled by Amu TV from Taliban statements.
Between April 18 and May 4, a total of 12,444 Afghan families were expelled — 8,228 from Pakistan and 4,215 from Iran. The deportations were carried out both forcibly and “voluntarily,” according to the reports.
The returnees entered Afghanistan through major border crossings including Torkham in Nangarhar, Spin Boldak in Kandahar, Pul-e Abrisham in Nimroz, Bahramcha in Helmand, Islam Qala in Herat, and Angur Ada in Paktika.
Amu also reported that between April 23 and May 2, at least 387 Afghan nationals were released from various prisons in Pakistan and returned via Spin Boldak. Taliban officials did not provide an overall number of Afghan detainees freed from Pakistani jails.
On Saturday alone, May 3, 46 individuals were released and repatriated, the report said.
Earlier this year, Pakistani media reported that nearly 18,800 Afghan migrants — primarily from Punjab and Balochistan — had been detained and deported between early April and April 26.
According to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), Iran and Pakistan have returned an estimated 3.5 million Afghan nationals, both forcibly and voluntarily, since the start of 2023.
