Mon Apr 07 17:26:43 UTC 2025: ## Thousands of Afghans Deported from Pakistan Amid Rising Tensions

**ISLAMABAD/KABUL, April 7, 2025** – Thousands of Afghan refugees have been forcibly returned to Afghanistan from Pakistan in recent days, sparking concerns from the UN and human rights groups. Pakistan, facing its own political and economic instability, has intensified its repatriation campaign, setting a deadline for hundreds of thousands of Afghans holding Afghan Citizen Cards (ACCs) to leave by early April.

The UN International Organization for Migration (IOM) reported that over 8,000 Afghans, including those with ACCs and undocumented individuals, crossed the border at Torkham and Spin Boldak in just two days. The IOM anticipates a surge in forced returns in the coming days and is preparing to scale up its response. While Taliban officials confirmed a significant number of returns, their figures were lower than those reported by the IOM. A Taliban spokesperson urged Pakistan to implement a humane repatriation process with a formal agreement, ensuring the dignity of returning Afghans.

The deportations have brought back memories of similar mass expulsions in 2023. Afghan refugees describe facing harassment and extortion in Pakistan before being forced to leave, often with little time to gather their belongings. One refugee, Abdul Rahman, recounted being given only hours’ notice before being forced to sell possessions to fund his family’s return.

The situation further exacerbates the already strained relationship between Pakistan and Afghanistan. Pakistan accuses the Taliban government of failing to address militant activity along their shared border, a claim denied by the Taliban. Over 1.3 million Afghans holding UN refugee agency cards have also been ordered to relocate outside Islamabad and Rawalpindi. Human Rights Watch has condemned the abusive tactics employed in the deportations, highlighting the risks faced by returning Afghans due to persecution and dire economic conditions. The UN estimates nearly three million Afghans reside in Pakistan.

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