At least 559 Afghan migrant families returned to Afghanistan from Iran and Pakistan between January 6 and January 11, according to data reviewed by Amu from figures released by the Taliban.
During this period, 434 families returned from Iran, with many forcibly deported or leaving voluntarily, while 125 families were deported by Pakistan. The figures reflect six days of the week, as the Taliban-run Bakhtar news agency did not release data for Sunday, January 7.
Of the returning families, 67 entered Afghanistan through the Torkham crossing, and 58 returned via Spin Boldak. Meanwhile, 159 families crossed through the Pul-e-Abrisham border in Nimroz Province, and 275 families returned via the Islam Qala border with Iran.
In the previous week, from December 29 to January 5, a total of 421 Afghan migrant families were deported by Iran and Pakistan, according to Amu’s analysis. Iran accounted for 304 deportations, while Pakistan deported 117 families.
The rise in migrant returns follows intensified efforts by both Iran and Pakistan to detain, collect, and deport Afghan migrants. Over the past two weeks, Pakistani police have detained hundreds of Afghan migrants, including women and children, deporting them through border crossings with Afghanistan.
Reports indicate that some deported migrants had valid residency documents but were detained and sent back regardless.
Iran has similarly escalated its detention and deportation of Afghan migrants, with officials reiterating that undocumented migrants will not be allowed to stay in the country.
