Nearly six million Afghans have returned from Pakistan and Iran in less than three years, with around one million forced back during the current year alone, according to the UN refugee agency. Many of those arriving have spent decades outside Afghanistan, while some were born abroad and are entering the country for the first time.
The returns are being driven by crackdowns on undocumented Afghan migrants in both neighbouring countries. The UN High Commissioner for Refugees said the scale of the movement had not been seen in recent history. At the Torkham border crossing from Pakistan, newly arrived families have been registered before entering Afghanistan, often with few resources and no clear place to settle.
Returnees have described leaving behind homes and communities in Pakistan. Nazia, 35, who was born there, said she had never previously been to Afghanistan. Sarwar, who left Afghanistan during the Soviet invasion 45 years ago, said his family was forced out but also felt relieved to escape what he described as police harassment in Pakistan.
Families interviewed at the crossing said they had faced prejudice and harassment from Pakistani authorities. Pakistan’s government did not respond to questions from the BBC, but a foreign ministry spokesman said the government takes measures to prevent harassment or mistreatment of Afghan nationals, adding that any incidents are sporadic and handled under the law.
Humanitarian pressures and protection concerns
Pakistan and Iran have said Afghans should return home, citing security concerns and financial pressures. The source report said expulsions from Pakistan and allegations of abuse increased after fighting escalated between Pakistan and Afghanistan last October. Human Rights Watch reported in February that Afghan migrants had faced door-to-door raids, late-night searches and arrests without warrants.
In Iran, mass deportations accelerated after the country’s 12-day war with Israel and the United States in June 2025. The Centre for Human Rights in Iran accused Iranian authorities of casting suspicion on Afghan migrants by alleging espionage and portraying them as possible spies for Israel.
UNHCR has stressed that returns should be voluntary, safe and dignified. However, many returnees face immediate shortages of housing, work and money. Temporary shelters close to Torkham offer short-term accommodation, but families arriving with limited belongings have voiced concern about rebuilding their lives.
Afghanistan is already facing severe humanitarian needs. The UN estimates that 21.9 million people in the country require assistance this year, while UNICEF said one million children face life-threatening malnutrition. Aid reductions have added pressure, according to the report.
Pakistan said it had granted temporary humanitarian exemptions from deportation to 16,000 vulnerable Afghans, a move welcomed by the UN. Sources cited in the report estimated that up to 250,000 Afghans in Pakistan could face serious harm if returned, including women and girls who would be unable to continue their education under Taliban restrictions.
Taliban Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi acknowledged that the returnees were creating pressure but said their arrival could benefit both them and Afghanistan in the longer term. He said the government needed help, while maintaining that questions including girls’ education were internal Afghan matters.
Source: BBC News
