Kabul, Nov 4 (NationPress) In an alarming report, a total of 16,242 Afghan refugees have been forcibly expelled from both Iran and Pakistan in a single day, according to the Taliban's deputy spokesperson.

Hamdullah Fitrat, the Taliban's deputy spokesman, revealed that 2,963 Afghan families, which include 16,243 individuals, returned to their homeland from these neighboring countries on Monday, as reported by Afghanistan's leading news agency, Pajhwok Afghan News. These refugees entered Afghanistan through various crossings: Islam Qala in Spin Boldak, Kandahar, Herat, Pul-i-Abresham in Nimroz, Bahramcha in Helmand, and the Torkham crossing.

Fitrat mentioned that 2,161 families, accounting for 11,772 individuals, were returned to their respective provinces, and 1,882 refugees who made the journey back received humanitarian assistance. Additionally, telecommunications companies provided 2,958 SIM cards to the returning Afghan refugees.

In a related development, Germany is set to welcome the fourth group of Afghan refugees who have been approved for relocation under its humanitarian admission program, according to reports from Afghanistan-based Khaama Press. This group will travel to Hanover from Islamabad.

This marks the fourth evacuation flight to Germany since the new coalition government took office in May. Last week, 14 Afghan nationals arrived in Hanover under the same initiative, aimed at assisting those most at risk following the Taliban's takeover in Afghanistan in 2021.

After the Taliban assumed control, Germany's previous administration initiated an admission program to safeguard local personnel, human rights activists, and journalists who had collaborated with German and international organizations. However, the current coalition government has indicated intentions to reduce or phase out these voluntary admission efforts.