Pakistan Expels 33,000 Afghan Migrants, Including 13,000 on April 13, Amid Concerns Over Future Under Taliban Rule

In recent weeks, Pakistan has intensified its crackdown on Afghan migrants, leading to the deportation of over 33,000 individuals through the Torkham border crossing alone. Reports indicate that more than 13,000 Afghan nationals were expelled on April 13, 2025, bringing the total number of deportations to approximately 948,870 since the start of the crackdown. Many of these migrants express deep concerns about their future under Taliban rule, particularly regarding access to education for their children, especially girls. The Taliban's Ministry of Refugees has reported that 91 Afghan nationals were released from Pakistani prisons and returned to Afghanistan, with a total of 715 releases over the past week. The International Organization for Migration noted that between September 2023 and April 2025, over 2.43 million undocumented migrants have entered Afghanistan from Iran and Pakistan, with half reportedly expelled. Amid these developments, the Taliban has urged Pakistan to reconsider its treatment of Afghan migrants, while the Pakistani government defends its actions as necessary for national security.