Kabul
More than 2,000 Afghan refugees were repatriated from Iran and Pakistan in a single day, the Taliban said on Sunday. According to a report shared by Taliban deputy spokesperson Mullah Hamdullah Fitrat on X, 668 families, totaling 2,553 people, returned to Afghanistan on Saturday.
The returnees crossed into Afghanistan through multiple entry points, including Bahramcha in Helmand, Islam Qala in Herat, Pul-i-Abresham in Nimroz, Spin Boldak in Kandahar, and Torkham in Nangarhar. Of these, 694 families comprising 4,310 people were transported to their home areas, while 531 families received humanitarian aid. Additionally, telecommunication companies provided 747 SIM cards to the returning migrants.
Fitrat added that 2,370 Afghan migrants had been deported from Iran and Pakistan the previous day.
The returnees face significant challenges, especially as winter approaches. Many struggle to find shelter and meet basic needs, and obtaining electronic ID cards (tazkira) remains difficult. Abdul Baqi, a returnee from Pakistan, said, “Our main problem is that we have no shelter. When we return to the country, we don’t know where to go.”
Other returnees echoed concerns over homelessness and inadequate aid. Abdul Bari noted, “Most people are homeless, spending their days in the streets and along the roads.” Abdul Malik and Abdul Qahar urged the Taliban government to provide essentials such as tents, shelter, and ID cards to help them rebuild their lives.
As Afghanistan continues to receive waves of deported citizens, the lack of adequate support raises urgent humanitarian concerns ahead of the harsh winter months.