Nearly 800 Afghan families return from Pakistan and Iran

Nearly 800 Afghan families returned from Pakistan and Iran recently, amid ongoing deportations, highlighting the growing migration crisis.

According to Bakhtar News Agency, under the administration of the Taliban, 774 Afghan families have returned from Pakistan and Iran to Afghanistan in the past day. The report, published on Monday, April 21, states that 190 families returned through the Torkham border, 192 through Spin Boldak, 53 from Islam Qala, and 439 families entered Afghanistan via the Silk Bridge in the past week.

The Taliban authorities claim to have provided assistance to these returning families. Despite this, the return of Afghan migrants from Pakistan and Iran continues to be a significant issue, with many families facing uncertain conditions upon their return.

In a related development, on the previous day, 623 families also arrived in Afghanistan from Pakistan and Iran. The ongoing return of Afghan refugees has intensified as both neighboring countries continue to expel Afghan migrants. This trend has been a major concern for Afghanistan, which is already dealing with the economic and social challenges of reintegrating these returnees.

The expulsion of Afghan migrants from Pakistan and Iran is part of a broader regional issue. The pushbacks have been a source of tension and have placed considerable strain on Afghanistan’s already fragile resources. The situation has raised questions about the capacity of Afghanistan’s infrastructure to support the influx of returnees, especially in the face of ongoing economic difficulties.

Recently, Tajudeen Oyewale, the head of UNICEF’s office in Afghanistan, reported that since September 2024, around 600,000 migrants have returned from Pakistan, with approximately two-thirds of them being children. This underscores the growing challenges that Afghanistan faces in addressing the needs of vulnerable populations, particularly children, who are disproportionately affected by the ongoing migration crisis.

The influx of Afghan refugees from Pakistan and Iran remains a critical issue for Afghanistan. The return of these families, many of whom are children, presents significant challenges for the country’s social services and infrastructure. With both Pakistan and Iran continuing their policies of deportation, Afghanistan must find sustainable solutions to support these returnees while addressing the broader regional dynamics at play.

The international community’s support, including agencies like UNICEF, will be crucial in helping Afghanistan cope with this influx. Continued attention and aid are necessary to ensure that these vulnerable populations, particularly children, have access to basic needs such as healthcare, education, and security as they reintegrate into their home country.

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