At least 179 Afghan nationals were released from prisons in Pakistan and returned to Afghanistan over the past six days, according to figures compiled from statements by the Taliban-run Ministry of Refugees.
The individuals were detained for between one and two days and reentered the country via the Spin Boldak border crossing in Kandahar Province. The ministry did not provide a nationwide total or specify the conditions of detention across Pakistan.
Separate statements issued by the ministry noted that many of those released held valid documentation, but were nonetheless arrested by Pakistani authorities in various parts of the country.
The releases come as Islamabad prepares to launch the third phase of its campaign to expel Afghan migrants. Pakistan’s Interior Ministry had set a June 30 deadline for all Afghans holding Proof of Registration (PoR) cards or U.N.-recognized refugee documentation to leave voluntarily. Officials have since said they are reviewing a possible extension of that deadline.
Amnesty International recently warned that 1.4 million Afghans registered with the United Nations could face forced deportation. The group urged Pakistan to halt deportations and extend legal protections for refugees.
Afghan migrants in Pakistan say they are facing growing uncertainty. “With the start of forced returns, we do not know what lies ahead,” said one Afghan asylum seeker.
Meanwhile, Iran has also accelerated its deportation of Afghan nationals. Following a brief conflict with Israel, Iranian authorities have intensified removals, with recent U.N. data indicating that as many as 30,000 Afghans are crossing back into the country daily — some voluntarily, many by force.
Aid agencies say the surge in deportations from both Pakistan and Iran is overwhelming Afghanistan’s already fragile border infrastructure. Many returnees face bleak prospects, lacking shelter, employment, or access to basic services.
