More than 800 Afghan migrants have returned to Afghanistan after being released from prisons in Pakistan, Afghan authorities said, as Islamabad continues its crackdown on undocumented foreign nationals under its repatriation policy.
Afghanistan's Ministry of Refugees and Repatriation said 880 Afghan migrants entered the country through the Torkham and Spin Boldak border crossings after being released from prisons in Pakistan.
Summarising the return, the ministry said the group included families and children who had completed their detention.
“A total of 880 Afghan migrants were released from prisons in Pakistan and returned to Afghanistan through Nangarhar and Kandahar provinces,” the ministry said in a statement.
It added, “Those released included families, children, and individuals who had been imprisoned for various reasons. After completing their prison sentences, they were released.”
According to the ministry, 713 people crossed into Afghanistan through the Torkham border crossing in Nangarhar province, while another 167 returned through Spin Boldak in Kandahar province.
The ministry also said the returnees received assistance after crossing the border.
“After being registered by the Directorates of Transfer Affairs and receiving assistance from cooperating support centres, they were transported to their places of origin,” the statement said.
Pakistan has stepped up its repatriation campaign targeting undocumented foreign nationals since late 2023, a policy that has primarily affected Afghans.
Pakistani authorities say the measures are intended to enforce immigration laws and strengthen national security, maintaining that foreign nationals without legal permission to remain in the country must leave.
The United Nations and human rights organisations have repeatedly raised concerns about the impact of the policy, warning that many Afghans returning to Afghanistan face humanitarian hardship and uncertain living conditions.
Pakistan has rejected allegations of mistreatment, saying returns are being carried out in accordance with its laws.
There was no immediate comment from Pakistani authorities on the latest group of prisoners released and returned to Afghanistan.
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