Six million Afghans deported under Taliban, including one million returned from Pakistan and Iran in 2024

As of August, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees reported that a further one million individuals were compelled to return to their countries of origin this year after being forced out of Pakistan and Iran. The figure adds to the cumulative number of involuntary repatriations recorded in 2024, reflecting a sharp increase in departures that began earlier in the year as both host nations tightened migration controls and intensified security operations along their borders.

UNHCR officials attributed the surge to a combination of tightened visa regimes, heightened enforcement of immigration laws, and coordinated bilateral agreements aimed at curbing irregular migration flows. The organization warned that the rapid pace of returns could strain reception capacities in the migrants’ home countries, potentially exacerbating humanitarian needs and complicating reintegration efforts. International agencies are monitoring the situation closely, urging host governments to ensure that repatriations adhere to international protection standards while seeking durable solutions for those displaced.