On Saturday, December 7, the Taliban-controlled Bakhtar News Agency announced the return of 102 refugee families from Pakistan and Iran to Afghanistan.

The Taliban did not specify whether these refugee families returned to Afghanistan voluntarily or forcibly.

According to the Bakhtar news agency, 16 families returned to Afghanistan through Torkham, 28 families through Spin Boldak in Kandahar, 19 families through the Nimroz Silk Bridge, and 39 families through Islam Qala in Herat.

The Islamic Republic and Pakistan have increased pressure on Afghan refugees in recent months, detaining and deporting them.

After the Taliban came to power in Afghanistan in August 2021, hundreds of thousands of citizens sought refuge in Iran and Pakistan.

Observers said that Afghan refugees face serious difficulties in meeting basic needs and shelter after being forcibly returned from neighbouring countries.