Taliban Accuse Neighbors of Mass Afghan Expulsions

Afghanistan Slams neighbors Over Mass Expulsion of Afghans: “Unprecedented Violation”

KABUL, Afghanistan – July 30, 2025 – The Taliban government has strongly condemned neighboring Iran and Pakistan for their mass expulsion of Afghan nationals, labeling the deportations a “serious violation of international norms, humanitarian principles, and Islamic values.” The criticism comes as both countries continue to enforce deadlines for foreigners deemed to be living illegally within their borders, threatening arrest and deportation.

Abdul Rahman Rashid, the Taliban’s deputy minister for refugees and repatriation, described the scale and method of the expulsions as something Afghanistan has “never before experienced in its history.” He stated that the actions taken by host countries disregard fundamental humanitarian principles and Islamic solidarity.

The influx of returned Afghans has placed immense strain on Afghanistan’s already fragile support systems. In the past three months alone, Iran has forcibly returned nearly 1.8 million Afghans. Pakistan has sent back an additional 184,459, while Türkiye has deported over 5,000 since the beginning of the year.moreover, roughly 10,000 afghan prisoners have been repatriated, primarily from Pakistan.

The Ministry of refugees and Repatriation estimates that approximately 6 million Afghan refugees remain overseas. The situation is further complicated by internal displacement within Afghanistan, with natural disasters like droughts, floods, and storms displacing an estimated 13,500 families recently. This adds to an existing total of nearly 2.5 million internally displaced families in the country.

In response to the escalating crisis, the ministry announced plans to dispatch delegations to meet with host countries. These delegations aim to provide legal support to Afghan asylum seekers and resolve the challenges they face. “Our goal is to find sustainable solutions through dialog and cooperation,” stated Mahmood ul-Haq Ahadi,the ministry’s director for policy and planning.

Humanitarian agencies have echoed these concerns, warning that the sheer volume and rapid pace of returning Afghans are overwhelming critical support infrastructure within the country. The ongoing expulsions highlight a deepening humanitarian crisis and pose notable challenges for Afghanistan’s capacity to reintegrate its displaced population.

What are the potential long-term political consequences of the mass expulsion of Afghan refugees on regional stability?

Allegations of Forced Returns: A growing Crisis

The Taliban-led government of Afghanistan has formally accused neighboring countries – specifically Pakistan and Iran – of conducting mass expulsions of Afghan refugees and migrants. These accusations, escalating in recent months, paint a grim picture of increasing instability and humanitarian concerns for the Afghan population. The core issue revolves around the alleged forced return of individuals, frequently enough without due process or consideration for their safety and well-being. This situation is exacerbating an already fragile humanitarian crisis within Afghanistan, impacting access to essential resources and increasing internal displacement.

Details of the Accusations

the Taliban’s claims centre on several key points:

Large-Scale Deportations: Reports indicate that hundreds of thousands of Afghans have been deported from Pakistan and Iran as the beginning of 2023, with numbers continuing to rise.

Violent Treatment: Accounts from returnees detail instances of harassment, detention in harsh conditions, and even physical abuse during the deportation process.

Lack of Legal Protections: Many Afghans being expelled lack valid documentation, leaving them particularly vulnerable and with limited recourse to legal challenges.

economic Hardship: the sudden influx of returnees is straining Afghanistan’s already limited resources, contributing to increased poverty and unemployment.

These allegations are supported by reports from international organizations like the UNHCR and Human Rights Watch, which have documented similar concerns regarding the treatment of Afghan refugees and migrants in neighboring countries. The term “forced migration” is increasingly used to describe the situation.

Pakistan’s Stance and Justification

Pakistan maintains that the deportations are necessary due to security concerns and the strain on its resources. The Pakistani government cites:

Security Threats: Allegations of involvement by Afghan nationals in terrorist activities within Pakistan.

Economic Burden: The cost of hosting a large refugee population, estimated to be over 4 million, is placing a significant burden on Pakistan’s economy.

Illegal Immigration: A crackdown on undocumented migrants, irrespective of nationality, is part of a broader effort to control illegal immigration.

Pakistan has implemented stricter border controls and increased enforcement measures, leading to a surge in deportations. The “Illegal Foreigners Repatriation” campaign has been particularly controversial.

iran’s Position and Contributing Factors

Iran’s rationale for expulsions is less publicly stated but is believed to be linked to:

Economic Challenges: Iran is facing its own economic difficulties, and the government is seeking to reduce the burden on its social welfare system.

Security Concerns: Similar to Pakistan, Iran has expressed concerns about the potential for security threats from Afghan migrants.

Discrimination and Xenophobia: Reports suggest that Afghan migrants in Iran face widespread discrimination and xenophobia, contributing to a antagonistic environment.

The situation is further complicated by the ongoing political and economic instability in Iran.

Humanitarian Impact on Afghanistan

The mass expulsions are having a devastating impact on Afghanistan, which is already grappling with:

Severe Economic crisis: The country’s economy has been crippled by decades of conflict, drought, and the suspension of international aid following the Taliban takeover.

Food Insecurity: Millions of Afghans are facing acute food insecurity,with the risk of famine looming.

Limited Infrastructure: Afghanistan’s infrastructure is severely underdeveloped, making it tough to accommodate and support a large influx of returnees.

Healthcare System Strain: The healthcare system is overwhelmed and lacks the capacity to provide adequate medical care to the growing population.

The UNHCR estimates that over 600,000 Afghans have returned to Afghanistan in 2023 and 2024, many involuntarily. This influx is placing immense pressure on already strained resources.

International Response and Advocacy Efforts

The international community has expressed concern over the mass expulsions and is calling on Pakistan and Iran to:

Respect International Law: uphold the principle of non-refoulement, which prohibits the return of refugees to countries where they face persecution or danger.

provide Due Process: Ensure that all Afghans facing deportation have access to fair and transparent legal proceedings.

Address Root Causes: Work with the Taliban government to address the underlying factors driving displacement, such as poverty, insecurity, and lack of opportunities.

Increase Humanitarian Aid: Provide increased humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan to help it cope with the influx of returnees.

Organizations like Amnesty international and Human Rights Watch are actively documenting abuses and advocating for the protection of Afghan refugees and migrants.

Case Study: The Case of Gulnara

Gulnara, a 35-year-old Afghan woman, lived in Pakistan for 15 years with her family. She was deported in February 2024 along with her husband and three