Iran, Pakistan repatriate over 2,000 Afghan migrants

Over 2,000 Afghan migrants were deported or voluntarily returned to Afghanistan on Saturday, Amu TV reported yesterday citing the Taliban-run Ministry of Refugees.

According to the news agency, 1,773 refugees returned from Iran, while 324 Afghan refugees were forcibly deported by Pakistan.

The source added that the refugees deported by Pakistan reentered Afghanistan through the Spin Boldak and Torkham crossings, while those returning from Iran used the Islam-Qala crossing in Herat Province.

Both Pakistan and Iran have recently intensified efforts to expel Afghan refugees living in their countries without proper documentation.

Afghan refugees returning to their homeland face dire living circumstances, food insecurity and unemployment. The deportation trends over the course of the past years have exacerbated the plights of the nation already suffering from terrorism and political instability.

Many humanitarian organizations have called on responsible international bodies to step up their efforts in providing aid to the vulnerable Afghan citizens, including millions of children living in poverty.