As the deportations by Pakistan continue, data compiled from Taliban refugee commission’s statements show that more than 16,000 migrants have returned to the country over the past week.
The figures show that 16,247 individuals were expelled from Pakistan between Jan. 10 and Jan. 17, while a further 802 migrants were deported from Iran during the same period. Most of the returns were carried out forcibly, the data showed.
The migrants returned to Afghanistan through several border crossings, including Torkham, Spin Boldak, Bahramcha, Pul-e-Abresham and Islam Qala.
Afghanistan has seen a sharp rise in deportations from neighbouring countries, particularly Pakistan, over the past two years, following crackdowns on undocumented migrants.
The United Nations has previously said that about 2.6 million migrants returned to Afghanistan in 2025 alone.
UN agencies have warned that large-scale returns are placing severe strain on Afghanistan’s limited resources and humanitarian response capacity, amid deepening economic hardship and aid shortfalls.