Pakistan Deports Over 4,300 Afghans in One Day on World Migrants Day

DID Press: On Wednesday, December 17, Pakistan deported at least 4,318 Afghan migrants, the United Nations reported, placing additional strain on Afghanistan’s already fragile health, housing, and employment systems.

The High Commission for Migrants of the Taliban administration confirmed the mass return, highlighting the mounting challenges faced by the country’s overstretched public services.

According to the UN Development Programme, over 2.3 million Afghans were expelled from Iran and Pakistan in 2025 alone. This large-scale return has intensified pressure on Afghanistan’s service delivery systems, which are already struggling to meet basic needs.

The United Nations noted that alongside the influx of returnees, programs are being implemented to improve livelihoods, promote social cohesion, and strengthen government services in Afghanistan. Efforts aim to help returnees rebuild their lives and reintegrate into society.

This year’s World Migrants Day coincides with continued risks for Afghans in Iran and Pakistan, including detention and deportation. The frequency of arrests and forced returns has increased during the current year, affecting many who fled Afghanistan out of fear of Taliban reprisals.

International organizations have repeatedly warned that Afghanistan under Taliban rule is not safe for the return of vulnerable groups, including former government employees, military personnel, civil society activists, journalists, women, and children.

The UN and humanitarian agencies continue to call for coordinated efforts to provide protection, assistance, and reintegration support to Afghan migrants, emphasizing that forced returns without proper safeguards exacerbate both humanitarian and regional stability challenges.