Millions of Afghans return to Afghanistan as Pakistan and Iran accelerate mass deportations of undocumented migrants
The administration announced that millions of Afghans are returning to Afghanistan as Pakistan and Iran intensify their efforts to deport undocumented migrants. Over the last three years, approximately six million people have returned to the country, a population size comparable to a small country. Pakistan and Iran have accelerated these expulsions to address security risks and financial burdens. While many returnees are arriving with limited resources, the Taliban government is working to provide essential services. The High Commission for Addressing Refugee Issues reported that hundreds of patients were treated at border crossings, and thousands of food items and SIM cards were distributed to returning families. Additionally, the Taliban government allocated residential plots to 1,154 families in a single day to facilitate permanent settlement. The UN's refugee agency, UNHCR, noted that while the Taliban government is making efforts to help returnees, the restrictions placed on women and girls, particularly in education, remain a significant issue in international relations. The Taliban government is also facing a severe funding shortage to assist the returning migrants and while the UN estimates that 21.9 million people in Afghanistan need assistance to survive.