Over 16,000 refugees return from Iran, Pakistan in a single day

KABUL (Pajhwok): As many as 16,243 Afghan refugees have been forcibly deported from neighboring Iran and Pakistan, an official said on Tuesday.

Hamdullah Fitrat, deputy spokesman for the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA), wrote on his X handle that a total of 2,963 Afghan families, comprising 16,243 individuals, returned to the country from Iran and Pakistan on Monday.

He said the refugees entered Afghanistan through the Islam Qala crossing in Herat, Pul-i-Abresham in Nimroz, Spin Boldak in Kandahar, Bahramcha in Helmand and the Torkham crossing.

According to Fitrat, 2,161 families (11,772 individuals) were transported to their respective provinces, while 1,882 returnees received humanitarian assistance.

He added that a total of 2,958 SIM cards were distributed among the returning refugees by telecommunication companies.

kk/sa