Pakistani authorities have deported 2,811 Afghan refugees through the Torkham border crossing over the past six days, with many reporting they were detained while working and forced to leave behind their families and livelihoods.
Baz Mohammad Abdulrahman, head of the Refugees and Repatriation Department in Nangarhar province, confirmed the deportations, stating that the individuals were residents of various Afghan provinces.
“A total of 845 families comprised of 4,132 individuals have returned, and 2,811 of them were deported after spending a short time in detention before being sent back via Torkham,” he voiced.
Upon arrival in Afghanistan, the deportees were given initial aid and assistance before being transported to their respective regions.
Several of the returnees spoke out about their experiences. Gul Mohammad, who owned a small hotel at a fruit market in Pakistan, said he was detained by police and held at Haji Camp in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa for four days before being deported. “I was working to support my family. Everything was left behind,” he said.
Others voiced frustration over the Pakistani visa system, claiming that despite requirements for legal residency, the process for renewing visas is unclear and inaccessible. Many described being pushed toward illegal alternatives due to exorbitant black market fees, which can range from $1,200 to $1,500.
“We’re willing to follow the law,” said Mohammad Arif, another deportee. “But regular visa applications are repeatedly denied. The legal path is effectively closed to us.”
Refugee Aqakhan recounted the rough treatment he and others faced during their detention. “We were arrested while working, had all our money confiscated, and were mistreated. They no longer treat us as neighbors,” he said.
In response to the growing humanitarian crisis, Nangarhar’s provincial administration convened an emergency meeting with local and international aid organizations to coordinate urgent relief efforts for the newly returned refugees.
Earlier in March , 50 Afghan children, including 17 girls, without valid travel documents were deported by Pakistani officials for crossing the country border illegally in search of work.
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