Over 5 million Afghans return home due to mass deportations from Pakistan and Iran

Afghanistan has witnessed significant changes since the Taliban regained power in August 2021. Over 5 million Afghans have reportedly returned to their homeland during this period, according to claims by the Taliban’s ministry of refugees. Many of these returns are attributed not to voluntary migration, but to mass deportations initiated by neighboring countries like Pakistan and Iran, which have seen an increase in expulsions of Afghan nationals due to various political pressures. Pakistan has specifically intensified efforts to deport Afghans, branding them as 'terrorists and criminals', despite many having lived in the country for years with canceled residence permits. Between April and June 2025, more than 200,000 Afghans were reported to have left Pakistan, raising concerns about the humanitarian implications this has on those returning to Afghanistan. The Iranian government has also stepped up the expulsion of Afghans with an estimated 15,675 deported in May alone. The United Nations International Organization of Migration (IOM) expressed concerns about the safety and conditions under which these Afghans are being returned, highlighting that many lack proper documentation and are vulnerable upon their return. Many returnees have been displaced internally and are struggling with unstable living conditions. The IOM estimates that around 6 million Afghans are still internally displaced. The IOM has emphasized the urgent need for safe and dignified return conditions, raising alarms over the continued forced repatriation. Both Pakistan and Iran’s decisions to deport Afghans stem from long-standing issues related to security and economic pressures, as they both harbor large Afghan populations due to decades of conflict in Afghanistan. These developments highlight the intricate relationship between Afghanistan and its neighbors, further complicated by the internal issues stemming from the Taliban’s governance. While the Taliban claims high numbers of returnees, the migrants themselves are not necessarily returning voluntarily, leading to a broader humanitarian crisis. The Taliban has faced criticism for its inability to support reintegration and resettlement for these individuals, leaving them in a precarious situation as they attempt to rebuild their lives in a country rife with challenges.