Iran and Pakistan deported more than 8,000 Afghan migrants on Thursday, Sept. 18, continuing a sharp rise in forced returns, Taliban’s refugees commission said.
According to figures released by the commission, Pakistan expelled 6,187 people through the Torkham, Spin Boldak and Bahramcha border crossings. Another 1,908 Afghans were sent back from Iran.
The commission said the deportees represented 1,581 families, of which 812 received some form of assistance. Officials said 1,497 SIM cards were distributed to returnees, along with more than 40.8 million Afghanis ($560,000) in cash aid.
Many returnees, however, say they face severe economic hardship and lack of work opportunities upon arrival in Afghanistan.
