RASC News Agency: Nearly 2,000 Afghanistani migrants were expelled from Pakistan and Iran in a single day, returning to Afghanistan. The Ministry of Refugees under the Taliban administration announced that 1,953 Afghanistani migrants were forcibly and voluntarily deported from Pakistan and Iran on Saturday, July 23.
Most of these migrants do not wish to return to Afghanistan but are being forcibly deported. According to the statement, Pakistan expelled 385 individuals, while Iran deported 1,569. The statement detailed that 193 individuals entered Afghanistan through the Torkham crossing, and another 192 through the Spin Boldak route. Additionally, 1,569 migrants entered the country via the Silk Bridge border in Nimroz.
Last week, nearly 10,000 migrants were expelled from these two countries and returned to Afghanistan. Hundreds of migrants are being sent back daily from Iran and Pakistan, with most expulsions being forced. Voluntary returns are rare, with only about one in a hundred willing to return by choice. This development comes despite the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) confirming the “suspension” of the deportation process by Pakistan. However, Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that the deportations have not stopped and continue as before.
Previously, Pakistan requested international support to aid Afghanistani refugees, asking the world not to leave them alone in this endeavor. Yet, just a day after this appeal, the deportations continued unabated.
