Introduction
In a dramatic escalation of its repatriation campaign, Pakistan has driven thousands of Afghans across the border in recent days, with families streaming through the Torkham and Spin Boldak crossings as of April 7, 2025. Following Islamabad’s early April deadline for 800,000 Afghan Citizen Card (ACC) holders to leave, the United Nations and Taliban officials report a surge in returns, echoing the mass exodus seen in 2023. This move has sparked concerns over human rights and regional stability as Pakistan tightens its grip on Afghan refugees.
Pakistan’s Repatriation Push Intensifies
Last month, Pakistan set a firm deadline for Afghans with ACCs—issued by Pakistani authorities—to depart by early April 2025, marking another phase in its years-long effort to repatriate Afghan nationals. The UN International Organization for Migration (IOM) reported on Monday via X that “in the last 2 days, 8,025 undocumented & ACC holders returned via Torkham & Spin Boldak crossings.” The IOM added, “forced returns expected to surge in the coming days,” signaling readiness to scale up its response at border points.
Taliban officials offered a slightly lower estimate, with Refugee Ministry spokesman Abdul Mutalib Haqqani telling AFP that 6,000-7,000 Afghans had returned since April began. He warned that “more than a million Afghans might return” if the trend continues, urging Pakistan to negotiate a dignified repatriation process rather than resorting to forced deportations.
Stories from the Border
The human toll of this policy is stark. Abdul Rahman, a 38-year-old Afghan who lived in Quetta for six years, recounted his ordeal to AFP: “Two days ago I was stopped and asked for documentation when they were searching houses. They didn’t even give me an hour (to leave).” Forced to sell a carpet and his phone to fund the journey, he crossed Spin Boldak with his family, leaving most belongings behind. Such stories highlight the chaos and desperation at the border.
Human Rights Concerns and Regional Tensions
The UN estimates nearly three million Afghans reside in Pakistan, many displaced by decades of conflict and the Taliban’s 2021 takeover of Afghanistan. Human rights groups, including Human Rights Watch, have condemned Pakistan’s “abusive tactics,” such as harassment and extortion, to pressure Afghans into leaving. Over 1.3 million Afghans with UNHCR Proof of Registration cards have also been ordered to relocate from Islamabad and Rawalpindi, further straining resources.
Relations between Pakistan and Afghanistan have deteriorated since 2021, with Islamabad accusing the Taliban of harboring militants—a charge Kabul denies—amid rising border violence. Pakistan’s political and economic instability only complicates the situation, pushing authorities to expedite Afghan repatriation.
What Lies Ahead for Afghan Refugees?
As forced returns escalate, Afghanistan faces a daunting challenge reintegrating thousands into an economy battered by war and sanctions. Human Rights Watch warns of “dire economic conditions” and potential Taliban persecution awaiting returnees. Meanwhile, the international community, including the IOM and UNHCR, braces for a humanitarian crisis. For the latest on refugee movements, visit UNHCR News.