According to the United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR), nearly six million people have been deported or returned to Afghanistan in less than three years, creating what officials call the largest cross-border population displacement in modern history as neighboring Pakistan and Iran accelerate mass expulsions of undocumented migrants.
The Zero Point Crisis at the Torkham Border
The Torkham border crossing, locally known as “zero point,” marks where a difficult life ends and an uncertain one begins for thousands of returnees. According to UNHCR spokesperson Charlie Goodlake, six million people returning in under three years equals the population of a small nation. Many arrivals, such as 35-year-old Nazia, were born in Pakistan and are setting foot in Afghanistan for the first time. Nazia arrived with her two children after being deported from Pakistan, where she and her family lacked official residency documents. Official records show that Pakistan and Iran have tightened enforcement against undocumented migrants, with Pakistan stating that even holders of Proof of Registration cards are no longer exempt from removals.
Did you know? According to UNHCR figures, deportations from Pakistan and Iran have forced one million people back into Afghanistan in just one year, straining local resources in an already impoverished nation.
Geopolitical Drivers Behind Mass Deportations
Both Pakistan and Iran maintain that the returns are necessary due to national security risks and severe financial burdens. According to Human Rights Watch, Pakistan’s enforcement actions included nighttime home raids and warrantless arrests following border clashes in October. In Iran, which hosted over four million undocumented Afghans, mass deportations accelerated sharply after a 12-day conflict with Israel and the US in June 2025, according to the Centre for Human Rights in Iran. Iranian authorities alleged that some migrants posed espionage risks, prompting widespread crackdowns.
Humanitarian Hardship and the Plight of Women
Humanitarian agencies warn that the influx compounds an existing crisis where nearly half of Afghanistan’s population requires life-saving aid. Zarina, a 40-year-old returnee interviewed at a dusty transit tent where temperatures reach 41CZarina duduk di antara kerumunan perempuan dan anak-anak yang cemas, expressed deep concern over the future of her daughters under Taliban rule. Taliban restrictions largely bar women from secondary education, universities, and public life. While Amir Khan Muttaqi acknowledged the pressure of the returns during an interview in Kabul, he insisted that female education remains an internal matter for Afghans to resolve.
International Isolation and Aid Shortages
International isolation continues to hamper Afghanistan’s ability to absorb the returning population. According to United Nations estimates, 21.9 million people require assistance, while UNICEF reports that one million children face life-threatening malnutrition. Despite these challenges, only Russia officially recognizes the Taliban government, though Muttaqi claimed that Kabul is strengthening diplomatic and economic ties with China, India, and Central Asian states. Meanwhile, humanitarian groups struggle to secure international funding as foreign aid cuts severely impact local relief operations.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many people have been deported to Afghanistan?
According to the UNHCR, nearly six million people have returned to Afghanistan in less than three years, with one million returning in the past year alone.
Why are Pakistan and Iran deporting Afghan nationals?
Both governments cite security concerns, economic strain, and a crackdown on undocumented migration as the primary reasons for the accelerated mass expulsions.
What are the living conditions like for returnees?
Returnees face extreme hardship, arriving at barren border camps without housing, financial resources, or adequate food supplies, amid a broader humanitarian crisis affecting nearly half the population.
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