Pakistan Prime Minister Says 2.4 Million Migrants Deported to Afghanistan

Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif stated that at least 2.4 million migrants have been deported to Afghanistan from September 2023 to June 2026. The process, according to the prime minister, was conducted gradually and in an orderly manner. He added that the deportations respected the human dignity of those being returned.

The statement comes amid reports from international organizations about problems faced by Afghan migrants in Pakistan. These organizations have reported human rights violations as well as arbitrary detentions. Family separations have also been noted in connection with the enforcement of deportation policies.

The United Nations Development Programme stated that Afghanistan faces one of the largest displacement crises in the world. Separately, Amnesty International stated that millions of Afghan refugees are being deported globally. Those deported face arbitrary detentions, family separations, and human rights violations upon return to Afghanistan.

Shehbaz Sharif emphasized the need for a peaceful, stable, and economically viable Afghanistan. Such conditions, he said, are necessary for sustainable refugee returns. The prime minister made these remarks while addressing the situation of refugees and migrants. He highlighted the challenges associated with large-scale returns to Afghanistan.