The Taliban claims that over 5 million Afghans have returned to Afghanistan since the fall of the US-backed government, according to Afghan Tronews, as reported on Sunday.
This announcement comes after months of large-scale deportations of Afghan nationals from neighboring nations, particularly Pakistan and Iran. It appears that these efforts have been more effective in bringing Afghans back than in ensuring their safe return under Taliban rule.
The Taliban has maintained control over Afghanistan since entering Kabul on August 15, 2021, prompting then-President Ashraf Ghani to flee. They previously governed the country during much of the 1990s until losing power after the US invasion in 2001.
The government’s collapse followed former President Joe Biden’s decision, made under a deal brokered by President Donald Trump in April 2021, to withdraw US troops by May. This led to a rapid offensive by the Taliban, characterized by numerous attacks and a chaotic retreat of Afghan forces, ultimately resulting in the fall of Kabul.
Following the fall of Kabul, countless Afghans rushed to escape. The United Nations International Organization for Migration (IOM) estimates that over 6 million Afghans remain displaced within the country.
According to Taliban sources, their “Refugee Ministry” recorded that 5.097 million Afghans returned during August 2021, coinciding with the Taliban’s resurgence.
“Ministry spokesman Abdul Madalib Hakkani noted that many returnees came back from Iran, Pakistan, and Turkey in recent months,” the report mentioned.
The Taliban has consistently cited a growing number of returnees but has seen a notable rise in citizens coming back over the last year. Back in August 2024, Taliban officials asserted that 3.7 million Afghans had returned after they took power, while the IOM estimated that nearly 8 million had left the country.
This trend doesn’t seem coincidental. Over the past year, Pakistan and Iran have enacted extensive deportation measures, leading to frustration within the Taliban regime, which lacks the resources for adequate resettlement. The Taliban has confirmed recent deportations, stating that many were processed at border checkpoints and received assistance upon arrival, including cash and SIM cards.
The repatriation efforts continue, with the IOM estimating that 1.5 million Afghans returned in May, although many struggle to navigate the legal requirements for resettlement. The organization reported that around 265,000 Afghans returned between January and April 2025, often without proper documentation. Most of these individuals are part of the 6 million internally displaced persons identified by the IOM; an estimated 75% were forced to return.
“The majority of returnees are in a vulnerable state,” stated Ugochi Daniels, deputy director of operations, highlighting that they had to leave their homes and belongings behind.
In a particularly chaotic move, the Pakistani government announced in October 2023 that it would no longer harbor Afghan refugees, leading to the forced departure of nearly two million people within a month. There have been reports of violence, with estimates of several Afghan civilians killed as they attempted to flee the Taliban’s wrath.
During this period, Taliban officials strongly condemned Pakistan’s actions.
“The Pakistani government should reconsider its approach. Afghan refugees do not pose a threat to Pakistan’s security. The country should show tolerance towards them,” they stated.
Since then, Pakistan has made efforts to engage with the Taliban, enhancing diplomatic relations. Taliban “Foreign Minister” Amir Khan Muttaki expressed optimism about improving ties during a recent meeting.
