SOCIETY — July 30, 2026
Afghan officials report returns of families from Pakistan and Iran alongside releases from Pakistani prisons
The Ministry of Refugees and Returnees Affairs said the 880 released migrants received aid after crossing at Torkham and Spin Boldak before traveling to their home areas.
The Ehtebar Desk — originates with RTA — corroborated by Bakhtar News and Hurriyat — 2 min read
Afghan authorities said 560 families totaling 2,818 people returned to the country on July 29 from Pakistan and Iran through border points in Nangarhar, Kandahar, Nimroz and Herat provinces. Additional assistance including financial aid, temporary shelter, information on migration and education, and SIM cards was provided to the returnees.
Separately, the Ministry of Refugees and Returnees Affairs reported that 880 Afghan migrants held in Pakistani prisons were released over the past week and repatriated through the Torkham and Spin Boldak crossings, with 713 arriving at Torkham and 167 at Spin Boldak. The group included families, children and single individuals detained for various reasons. They received initial aid before being sent to their home areas.
The two sets of returns occurred on or around the same day but involved different groups and routes, with one including arrivals from Iran and the other focused exclusively on releases from Pakistan.
Read the original reporting at RTA →
Reliability assessment
Two independent sources (Hurriyat, RTA) corroborate the core event of 880 migrants released from Pakistani prisons with matching route numbers. Bakhtar provides direct attribution from the High Commission for a separate but related repatriation event.
The source language reads straight.
Across the newsrooms
Where reports agree
- Two sources report returns of Afghans via Torkham and Spin Boldak borders on or around 29 July 2026.
Where reports differ
- Bakhtar reports 560 families returning from both Pakistan and Iran; Hurriyat and RTA report 880 individuals released specifically from Pakistani prisons.
- Bakhtar provides detailed family counts per border crossing including Iran routes; Hurriyat/RTA focus only on prison releases with different total numbers and no mention of Iran or families.
Filed by 3 outlets
RTA
Originating
Reported straight
Reported straight
Bakhtar News
Reported straight
Reported straight
Hurriyat
Reported straight
Reported straight
Filed under
Society — Afghan refugees, Pakistan prisons, Torkham border, Spin Boldak, repatriation
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