Why Are Over 7,000 Afghan Refugees Returning Home from Pakistan and Iran in Just One Day?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- 1,685 Afghan families returned from Iran and Pakistan.
- They crossed through various border points.
- Essential services provided include housing and medical aid.
- Nearly 7 million Afghan refugees live abroad.
- The Taliban encourages refugees to return home.
KABUL, June 25 (NationPress) - On Wednesday, the Afghanistan's High Commission for Addressing Returnees' Problems reported that 1,685 Afghan families, comprising 7,474 individuals, have returned to their homeland from neighboring Iran and Pakistan.
These refugees have crossed back into Afghanistan through various border points, including the Torkham border in eastern Nangarhar province, the Spin Boldak border in southern Kandahar province, the Islam Qala border in western Herat province, and the Pul-e-Abresham border in western Nimroz province.
The commission offers essential services such as temporary housing, food, water, medical assistance, and transportation to the returnees.
Currently, nearly 7 million Afghan refugees, many of whom are undocumented, are living abroad, primarily in Iran and Pakistan.
Authorities in both countries have urged undocumented migrants to conclude their illegal stays and return to their native lands, as reported by Xinhua news agency.
The Taliban regime has consistently encouraged Afghan refugees to cease their life abroad and return home to aid in the reconstruction of their war-torn nation.
On June 22, local media outlet Tolonews revealed that approximately 10,000 Afghan refugees are departing Iran daily to return to their homeland, driven by conflict and instability in the Middle Eastern nation.
“The recent surge in refugees returning from Iran is due to ongoing conflict and insecurity. Between 8,000 to 10,000 individuals are crossing daily via the Islam Qala checkpoint in western Herat province,” stated Abdul Rahim Rahmani, deputy director of Border Affairs for Returnees and Refugees at the Islam Qala crossing.
Moreover, local officials indicate that thousands of Afghan refugees, estimated at 2,000 to 3,000 individuals and around 300 families, are also making their way back to Afghanistan via Nimroz province.