In a major repatriation effort, 1,685 Afghan families—totaling 7,474 individuals—returned to Afghanistan from Iran and Pakistan on Wednesday, according to the country’s High Commission for Addressing Returnees’ Problems.
Returnees crossed into Afghanistan through key border points: Torkham in Nangarhar province, Spin Boldak in Kandahar, Islam Qala in Herat, and Pul-e-Abresham in Nimroz. Upon arrival, they were provided with temporary shelter, food, water, medical support, and transportation to their home provinces.
An estimated 7 million Afghan refugees, many undocumented, are currently living abroad—primarily in Iran and Pakistan. Both host countries have recently increased pressure on undocumented migrants to return home.
Afghan authorities, particularly under the Taliban-led government, continue to call on citizens living abroad to return and support the country’s reconstruction.
Earlier reports noted an increasing number of refugees returning daily. On June 22, Tolonews cited an average of 10,000 individuals leaving Iran via the Islam Qala crossing due to growing instability. Officials in Nimroz province also reported between 2,000 to 3,000 individuals—roughly 300 families—crossing back into Afghanistan each day.