Pakistan deports 8,000 Afghans in two days amid renewed crackdown
More than 8,000 Afghan migrants have been deported from Pakistan in the past two days, the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) reported on Wednesday, as Islamabad continues its second phase of a nationwide campaign to expel undocumented foreigners. According to UNAMA, 8,025 Afghans — many carrying legal documents such as Afghan Citizen Cards — were forced out through the Torkham border crossing, a key return point. The International Organization for Migration (IOM) said it has provided assistance to 2,614 deportees since April 5.
Citing immigration records, The Express Tribune reported that over 11,000 Afghans were deported between April 1 and 8, with more than 1,400 detainees transferred from various cities to Torkham for expulsion. Since the campaign began in September 2023, at least 469,159 Afghan nationals — over 70,000 families — have been deported through Torkham, the newspaper said.
Rights groups have condemned the mass deportations, warning of severe humanitarian consequences for returnees facing displacement and limited services in Afghanistan. The Taliban has urged Pakistan to halt the forced removals and allow more time for voluntary returns, but Pakistani officials continue to defend the policy.
