The Taliban government has called on Pakistan and Iran to adopt a systematic and gradual process for the return of Afghan refugees, emphasizing the need for patience and structured repatriation. Mawlawi Abdul Kabir, Afghanistan’s acting Minister of Refugees and Repatriation, made this appeal during separate meetings with Pakistani Charge d’Affaires Ubaid Ur Rehman Nizamani and Iranian Ambassador Alireza Bekdali in Kabul.
Since the Taliban’s takeover in August 2021, over 2.7 million Afghans have been expelled from Pakistan and Iran, with forced deportations accelerating in recent months. Pakistan alone has expelled more than 825,000 Afghans since launching a crackdown on undocumented foreigners in late 2023, citing security concerns. The United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) notes that only 40,000 of these individuals were forcibly deported, while the rest left under pressure. Meanwhile, Iran has deported over 1.8 million Afghans between 2022 and 2024, with plans to remove up to 2 million more by March 2025, according to ReliefWeb.
Kabir acknowledged Pakistan and Iran’s decades-long hospitality but urged them to uphold international refugee protections. “Mistreatment of Afghan refugees in Pakistan and Iran has increased. We urge host countries to adhere to international refugee principles and treat Afghans with human and Islamic dignity,” he stated.
Pakistan’s Multi-Phase Deportation Plan
In January 2025, Pakistan approved a new multi-phase deportation plan targeting nearly 3 million Afghans, including documented refugees, undocumented migrants, and those awaiting relocation to Western countries. Under this plan, Pakistan will begin deporting documented Afghan migrants alongside undocumented individuals in the first phase. The second phase mandates the removal of Afghan asylum seekers awaiting third-country relocation from Islamabad by March 31.
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Despite these policies, Pakistan has extended the validity of Proof of Registration (PoR) cards—held by legally recognized Afghan refugees—until June 30, 2025. However, concerns remain that PoR holders could be targeted in future deportation waves. Refugee rights groups have warned that the rapid deportation of vulnerable Afghans, particularly women and children, violates humanitarian principles, given Afghanistan’s deteriorating economy and ongoing human rights crisis.
Pakistan’s envoy Nizamani assured Kabul that Islamabad does not view Afghan refugees as a political tool. “Pakistan’s future is linked to Afghanistan. We do not use Afghan refugees as political tools but seek to resolve issues through mutual understanding,” he said. However, the Pakistani government has yet to officially confirm this stance.
Iran Pushes for Legal Documentation
Iran has also intensified deportations, citing economic strain and security concerns. Tehran argues that many Afghan migrants live in the country illegally, burdening its economy. Iranian Ambassador Bekdali reiterated the need for a permanent resolution, calling for legal pathways for Afghan refugees. “We want to see illegal migrants provided with necessary legal documents,” he stated.
While Iran claims it supports legal refugees, rights organizations have repeatedly criticized Tehran’s treatment of Afghan migrants. Reports indicate that deported Afghans often face harsh conditions upon arrival, with many struggling to reintegrate into an economy that relies heavily on humanitarian aid. The Taliban has requested additional time for negotiations with Pakistan and Iran to create bilateral mechanisms that would ensure a more structured repatriation process.
Taliban Seeks Diplomatic Solutions
Kabir warned that abrupt deportations would worsen Afghanistan’s humanitarian crisis, urging diplomatic engagement. “Deporting all Afghan refugees from Pakistan by the end of June is unrealistic, as they cannot gather their entire assets in such a short time,” he argued. He proposed joint meetings between Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Iran to coordinate repatriation efforts.
The acting minister also criticized border closures, particularly at the key Torkham crossing between Afghanistan and Pakistan, which has been repeatedly shut due to border disputes. “Closing the Torkham crossing, engaging in conflicts, or resorting to violence will not address the existing challenges,” he stated, calling for immediate reopening to facilitate trade and movement.
In response, the Iranian ambassador acknowledged Afghanistan’s efforts to combat illegal migration. Bekdali praised a recent Taliban decree targeting human trafficking, which directs Afghanistan’s Ministry of Interior to arrest traffickers and prosecute them in military courts.
As deportations continue, the fate of millions of Afghan refugees remains uncertain. With Afghanistan facing economic collapse, job scarcity, and severe restrictions on women’s rights, human rights groups are urging Pakistan and Iran to slow expulsions and provide Afghan refugees with adequate protections. Whether the Taliban’s diplomatic appeals will result in policy shifts remains to be seen.