At least 1,239 Afghan migrant families returned to Afghanistan from Pakistan and Iran over the past week, according to figures released by the Taliban-run Bakhtar News Agency.
The families were either forcibly deported or chose to return voluntarily, the agency reported. The data indicates that 129 families crossed back into Afghanistan through the Torkham border, while 168 families returned via the Spin Boldak crossing—both routes connecting with Pakistan. From Iran, 364 families entered through the Silk Bridge in Nimroz Province, and an additional 578 families returned through the Islam Qala border crossing.
The number of returning migrants marked a slight decline from the previous week, when 1,403 families were reported to have come back from the neighboring nations.
Iran has emphasized its strict policy on the regulation and deportation of undocumented migrants. Eskandar Momeni, Iran’s interior minister, reiterated this commitment, stating, “Organizing unauthorized foreign nationals is one of our top priorities. Strengthening and securing the borders is part of our agenda, and we are prioritizing the regulation of unauthorized migrants with international support.”
Iranian authorities have maintained that deportations of undocumented migrants are a critical focus for the current year. Meanwhile, some Afghan migrants in Iran have voiced concerns over mistreatment by local law enforcement.
