Iran and Pakistan deported more than 45,000 Afghan migrants in the past week, according to figures compiled by Amu from the Taliban’s Commission on Refugees.
From Sept. 20 to Sept. 26, Pakistan expelled 38,953 Afghans and Iran deported 6,456, both through forced and voluntary returns, the data show. The deportees reentered Afghanistan through border crossings at Torkham, Spin Boldak, Bahramcha, Islam Qala and Pul-e Abrisham.
A week earlier, from Sept. 13 to Sept. 19, Pakistan had deported 32,064 Afghans, while Iran expelled 9,020 during the same period, according to the commission.
The wave of returns comes as Afghanistan struggles with the aftermath of a powerful earthquake that killed more than 2,200 people and left tens of thousands homeless in the east of the country.
U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi warned that Pakistan’s deportations could further strain Afghanistan, already facing a deep humanitarian crisis.
“The recent earthquake has affected more than 500,000 people in eastern Afghanistan,” Grandi said. “In such conditions, donor support, especially from Pakistan, is vital and welcome.”
Grandi urged Pakistan to halt its forced repatriation policy, particularly for Afghan citizens, saying Afghanistan is not in a position to absorb mass returns due to its economic collapse, widespread poverty and earthquake damage.
