KABUL, Afghanistan — A total of 873 Afghan migrant families returned from Pakistan and Iran between March 15 and March 21, according to data compiled by Amu from Taliban statements.
Of those, 837 families were deported by Iran, while 36 families returned from Pakistan, either forcibly or voluntarily, during the same period.
According to the data, 36 families crossed into Afghanistan from Pakistan via the Spin Boldak crossing in Kandahar Province. From Iran, 226 families entered through the Silk Bridge crossing in Nimroz Province, while 611 families returned via the Islam Qala border in Herat Province.
The previous week, from March 8 to March 14, Iran and Pakistan deported a combined total of 674 Afghan refugee families.
Official estimates indicate that Iran currently hosts more than 4.5 million Afghans, while Pakistan is home to over 3.1 million, many of whom face the risk of deportation as both countries tighten border enforcement.
