Pakistan has intensified its crackdown on undocumented Afghan nationals following the July 10 deadline for illegal residents to leave the country. Authorities have been instructed to arrest and deport Afghans without valid visas or legal documents, while action will also be taken against those providing shelter or rental accommodation. The move expands Pakistan's ongoing repatriation campaign, with over one million Afghans already returned, raising concerns over Afghanistan's humanitarian and economic challenges.

Pakistan launches massive deportation drive against undocumented Afghan nationals 

Iran has deported hundreds of thousands of Afghans in recent months, alleging national security concerns. This comes after the authorities in March gave a deadline to Afghans to return to their homeland by July. More than four million undocumented refugees from Afghanistan had been living in Iran after they fled conflict in their country. According to the United Nations, about 50,000 people were returning daily in early July.&nbsp;Iran’s immigration crackdown comes amid the widespread accusations suggesting that Afghans have links with the intelligence agency Mossad, with several individuals being arrested for espionage.&nbsp;Tehran may be “looking for scapegoats” for its shortcomings in the war against Israel, an expert told the BBC. “The Iranian government is very embarrassed by their security failures", which show Iran "was very thoroughly penetrated by Israeli intelligence,” said Barnett Rubin, who served as senior adviser to the US Department of State. “So they had to find someone to blame.”&nbsp;Some critics have also suggested that the Iranian government is seeking legitimacy by accusing undocumented Afghans of espionage to deport them.On June 13, when Israel launched an attack on Iran’s nuclear and military facilities, the government urged citizens to report any suspicious activities that could be linked to Israeli operatives. Following this, several people, including Afghans, were detained in alleged connection to the Israeli attacks.&nbsp;The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps on June 18 said that 18 Afghans were arrested in Mashhad for building drones for Israel, according to Afghan Witness, an independent monitoring group. However, the provincial deputy security chief later said that the arrests had no connections to drone-making or Israeli links and were solely made for being in the country illegally.&nbsp;According to the UN Refugee Agency, more than 1.5 million Afghans have left Iran since January. Meanwhile, the Taliban’s Ministry of Refugees and Repatriation told the BBC that over 918,000 Afghans, some of whom had been in Iran for generations, returned between 22 June - 22 July.&nbsp;Since the 1970s, millions of Afghans have fled to Iran and Pakistan, most of whom did so at the time of the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan in 1979 and when the Taliban took over in 2021. Afghans also face hate crimes in Iran, which have been heightened by social media in recent years.&nbsp;Experts have warned that Afghanistan does not have the capacity to accommodate the growing number of nationals who are being forcibly returned from Iran and Pakistan during the time of economic crisis in the country.

Iran’s immigration crackdown comes amid the widespread accusations suggesting that Afghans have links with the intelligence agency Mossad, with several individuals being arrested for espionage.

Iran has deported hundreds of thousands of Afghans in recent months, alleging national security concerns. This comes after the authorities in March gave a deadline to Afghans to return to their homeland by July. More than four million undocumented refugees from Afghanistan had been living in Iran after they fled conflict in their country. According to the United Nations, about 50,000 people were returning daily in early July. Iran’s immigration crackdown comes amid the widespread accusations suggesting that Afghans have links with the intelligence agency Mossad, with several individuals being arrested for espionage. Tehran may be “looking for scapegoats” for its shortcomings in the war against Israel, an expert told the BBC. “The Iranian government is very embarrassed by their security failures", which show Iran "was very thoroughly penetrated by Israeli intelligence,” said Barnett Rubin, who served as senior adviser to the US Department of State. “So they had to find someone to blame.” Some critics have also suggested that the Iranian government is seeking legitimacy by accusing undocumented Afghans of espionage to deport them. On June 13, when Israel launched an attack on Iran’s nuclear and military facilities, the government urged citizens to report any suspicious activities that could be linked to Israeli operatives. Following this, several people, including Afghans, were detained in alleged connection to the Israeli attacks. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps on June 18 said that 18 Afghans were arrested in Mashhad for building drones for Israel, according to Afghan Witness, an independent monitoring group. However, the provincial deputy security chief later said that the arrests had no connections to drone-making or Israeli links and were solely made for being in the country illegally. According to the UN Refugee Agency, more than 1.5 million Afghans have left Iran since January. Meanwhile, the Taliban’s Ministry of Refugees and Repatriation told the BBC that over 918,000 Afghans, some of whom had been in Iran for generations, returned between 22 June - 22 July. Since the 1970s, millions of Afghans have fled to Iran and Pakistan, most of whom did so at the time of the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan in 1979 and when the Taliban took over in 2021. Afghans also face hate crimes in Iran, which have been heightened by social media in recent years. Experts have warned that Afghanistan does not have the capacity to accommodate the growing number of nationals who are being forcibly returned from Iran and Pakistan during the time of economic crisis in the country.

Iran’s immigration crackdown comes amid the widespread accusations suggesting that Afghans have links with the intelligence agency Mossad, with several individuals being arrested for espionage.

Why is Iran deporting hundreds of thousands of Afghans, accusing them of being ‘Israeli spies’?

Pakistan continues its crackdown on Afghan refugees, reports suggest. Islamabad is yet again planning to deport about 67,000 more Afghan migrants after Eid.

Pakistan's crack down on Afghan migrants, to deport them after Eid

Pakistan continues to toughen its stance on illegal Afghan immigrants. From detention to deportation, Islamabad seems to be cracking down on Afghan migrants. The Punjab police conducted another operation in Pakistan's Rawalpindi city.

Pakistan: Government continues its crackdown on undocumented Afghan migrants

As the Taliban begins its control over Afghanistan, reports say up to 1000 Afghans have been entering Iran from Dogharoun border crossing.

Dogharoun is located close to Afghanistan's Herat city which had fallen to the Taliban earlier this month. According to Iranian media, at least 2,000 Afghan nationals have been requesting entry into the country.

UN refugee agency UNHCR had said earlier that half a million Afghans could leave the country amid the Taliban's takeover. The UNCR had appealed to Afghanistan's neighbours&nbsp;to keep their borders open.

Watch:

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/us-carries-out-second-strike-against-suspected-members-of-isis-k-409325/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Turkey which shares its border with Afghanistan has reportedly reinforced the fence&nbsp;and detained Afghan migrants who have entered the country in recent weeks.

President Erodgan's government had declared last week that it was pulling troops out of Afghanistan. At least 500 non-combat Turkish troops were in Afghanistan as part of the NATO mission.

Turkey's defence ministry said: "The Turkish Armed forces are returning to our homeland with the pride of successfully fulfilling the tasks entrusted to it."

Watch: Taliban militants surround TV anchor during news show as video goes viral

"It is important for Afghanistan to stabilise," Erdogan said even as the president had earlier declared his intention to secure Kabul airport before the Taliban's surge into the capital. Erdogan later dropped his plan to allow Turkish guards to provide security to&nbsp;Kabul's strategic airport.

Erdogan asserted that Turkey cannot take the "new wave" of migrants&nbsp;arriving from Afghanistan while stating that the country already hosts five million refugees and cannot take the "additional burden of migrants".

Also Read:&nbsp;Hibatullah Akhundzada: Taliban's reclusive leader set to play key role in Afghanistan

The European Commission had said earlier that at least 550,000 people have been internally displaced since the beginning of 2021.

The EU had said it would "intensify" cooperation with Pakistan, Iran and Tajikistan to ensure Afghan migrants are allowed in the neighbouring countries.

(With inputs from Agencies)

As the Taliban begins its control over Afghanistan, reports say up to 1000 Afghans have been entering Iran from Dogharoun border crossing. Dogharoun is located close to Afghanistan's Herat city which had fallen to the Taliban earlier this month.

As the Taliban begins its control over Afghanistan, reports say up to 1000 Afghans have been entering Iran from Dogharoun border crossing. Dogharoun is located close to Afghanistan's Herat city which had fallen to the Taliban earlier this month. According to Iranian media, at least 2,000 Afghan nationals have been requesting entry into the country. UN refugee agency UNHCR had said earlier that half a million Afghans could leave the country amid the Taliban's takeover. The UNCR had appealed to Afghanistan's neighbours to keep their borders open. Watch: Turkey which shares its border with Afghanistan has reportedly reinforced the fence and detained Afghan migrants who have entered the country in recent weeks. President Erodgan's government had declared last week that it was pulling troops out of Afghanistan. At least 500 non-combat Turkish troops were in Afghanistan as part of the NATO mission. Turkey's defence ministry said: "The Turkish Armed forces are returning to our homeland with the pride of successfully fulfilling the tasks entrusted to it." Watch: Taliban militants surround TV anchor during news show as video goes viral "It is important for Afghanistan to stabilise," Erdogan said even as the president had earlier declared his intention to secure Kabul airport before the Taliban's surge into the capital. Erdogan later dropped his plan to allow Turkish guards to provide security to Kabul's strategic airport. Erdogan asserted that Turkey cannot take the "new wave" of migrants arriving from Afghanistan while stating that the country already hosts five million refugees and cannot take the "additional burden of migrants". Also Read: Hibatullah Akhundzada: Taliban's reclusive leader set to play key role in Afghanistan The European Commission had said earlier that at least 550,000 people have been internally displaced since the beginning of 2021. The EU had said it would "intensify" cooperation with Pakistan, Iran and Tajikistan to ensure Afghan migrants are allowed in the neighbouring countries. (With inputs from Agencies)

Afghans pour into Iran border as Taliban take control

Turkey cannot take the burden of a new migrant wave from Afghanistan, Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said on Sunday after talks with his German counterpart, as concerns about a new migrant wave remain after the Taliban`s taking of power.

The events in Afghanistan have fuelled worries in the European Union of a repeat of the 2015 refugee crisis, when nearly a million people fleeing war and poverty in the Middle East and beyond crossed to Greece from Turkey before travelling north to wealthier states.

To stem the flow of refugees, the EU reached an agreement with Turkey in 2016 for it to host Syrians fleeing the war in their country in return for billions of euros for refugee projects.

Cavusoglu said on Sunday that Europe, as well as regional countries, would also be affected if migration from Afghanistan turns into a crisis and that lessons should be learned from the Syrian refugee crisis.

"As Turkey, we have sufficiently carried out our moral and humanitarian responsibilities regarding migration," Cavusoglu said, speaking in a joint news conference with German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas.

"It is out of the question for us to take an additional refugee burden," Cavusoglu said.

Turkey currently hosts 3.7 million Syrian refugees, the world`s largest refugee population, in addition to around 300,000 Afghans. It has been reinforcing measures along its eastern border to prevent crossings in anticipation of a new migrant wave from Afghanistan.

Maas said Germany was grateful to Turkey for its offer to continue to help run Kabul airport after NATO`s withdrawal and said Germany was ready to support that financially and technically.

"It is in our own interests to ensure that the collapse in Afghanistan does not destabilise the entire region," he said in a statement.

Maas is on a trip to Turkey, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Pakistan and Qatar to show Germany`s support for the countries most likely to suffer the fallout of the crisis in Afghanistan.

Turkey`s neighbour Greece has completed a 40-km fence and surveillance system to keep out migrants who still manage to enter Turkey and try to reach the European Union.

Turkey cannot take the burden of a new migrant wave from Afghanistan, Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said on Sunday after talks with his German counterpart, as concerns about a new migrant wave remain after the Taliban`s taking of power.

Turkey cannot take the burden of a new migrant wave from Afghanistan, Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said on Sunday after talks with his German counterpart, as concerns about a new migrant wave remain after the Taliban`s taking of power. The events in Afghanistan have fuelled worries in the European Union of a repeat of the 2015 refugee crisis, when nearly a million people fleeing war and poverty in the Middle East and beyond crossed to Greece from Turkey before travelling north to wealthier states. To stem the flow of refugees, the EU reached an agreement with Turkey in 2016 for it to host Syrians fleeing the war in their country in return for billions of euros for refugee projects. Cavusoglu said on Sunday that Europe, as well as regional countries, would also be affected if migration from Afghanistan turns into a crisis and that lessons should be learned from the Syrian refugee crisis. "As Turkey, we have sufficiently carried out our moral and humanitarian responsibilities regarding migration," Cavusoglu said, speaking in a joint news conference with German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas. "It is out of the question for us to take an additional refugee burden," Cavusoglu said. Turkey currently hosts 3.7 million Syrian refugees, the world`s largest refugee population, in addition to around 300,000 Afghans. It has been reinforcing measures along its eastern border to prevent crossings in anticipation of a new migrant wave from Afghanistan. Maas said Germany was grateful to Turkey for its offer to continue to help run Kabul airport after NATO`s withdrawal and said Germany was ready to support that financially and technically. "It is in our own interests to ensure that the collapse in Afghanistan does not destabilise the entire region," he said in a statement. Maas is on a trip to Turkey, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Pakistan and Qatar to show Germany`s support for the countries most likely to suffer the fallout of the crisis in Afghanistan. Turkey`s neighbour Greece has completed a 40-km fence and surveillance system to keep out migrants who still manage to enter Turkey and try to reach the European Union.

Turkey cannot take new refugee burden, foreign minister says

The&nbsp;European Union has accused Belarus&nbsp;President Alexander Lukashenko of orchestrating the arrival of thousands of people at the borders of Lithuania, Latvia, and Poland in retaliation for sanctions imposed on the former Soviet republic.

Condemning the ''aggressive behavior''&nbsp;and ''direct attack'' as an attempt to destabilise the bloc, it said Belarus was&nbsp;pushing asylum seekers across its border.

Interior ministers of the 27-nation EU said in a statement to be issued after an emergency meeting that&nbsp;Belarus&nbsp;was seeking to "instrumentalise human beings for political purposes".

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/lithuania-accused-belarus-of-using-refugees-and-illegal-migrants-as-political-weapon-397968/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

“This aggressive behavior … is unacceptable and amounts to a direct attack aimed at destabilizing and pressurizing the EU,” said a statement by Slovenia, which holds the bloc’s rotating presidency until the end of the year, after emergency talks among the bloc’s interior ministers.

The issue has become more acute in the light of the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan that was completed on Sunday. Many Afghans are trying to flee the country, fearing reprisals.

EU member states are nervous about a replay of Europe's 2015-16 migration crisis when the chaotic arrival of more than a million people from the Middle East stretched security and welfare systems and fuelled support for far-right groups.

The ministers, without direct reference to Afghanistan, said there was "a need to strengthen the entire external border" of the EU to prevent illegal crossings in the future.

So far this year, more than 4,100 asylum-seekers, most of them from Iraq, have illegally crossed from Belarus into Lithuania. That’s 50 times more than during all of 2020. They’re being sheltered in temporary camps across the Baltic EU member.

Poland said Wednesday it had deployed nearly 1,000 troops to its border with Belarus to help border guards cope with a surge of migrants,&nbsp;again mostly from Iraq, who were trying to enter the country.

The migrant movements spiked dramatically after the EU slapped sanctions on Belarus officials.

Many of the migrants were believed to have arrived in Belarus by plane on commercial flights from Iraq. Those flights have stopped for now, perhaps in part due to the EU’s threat to impose visa restrictions on Iraqi citizens and officials.

Still, Lithuania’s border guard released video footage on Wednesday which it said reveals that migrants are being pushed across the border into EU territory by Belarus riot police. Another video showed several people cross into Lithuania and immediately return to Belarus to be filmed by Belarus officials.

After talks with Lithuanian Prime Minister Ingrida Simonyte on Wednesday, EU Parliament President David Sassoli accused Lukashenko of “exploiting these poor people, men and women.”

“I have seen these outrageous actions when officials push people across the border. It is both an issue of human rights, and also a question of protecting the border of the EU,” Sassoli said. “It is an organized activity of the Lukashenko regime.”

The United Nations refugee agency UNHCR has said it is "deeply concerned" by border pushbacks and the Lithuanian Red Cross said it doubted they meet countries' obligations under international treaties on human rights.

Ylva Johansson, who is responsible for migration and asylum in the EU's executive Commission, called on member states on Wednesday to ramp up admission quotas for Afghans in need of protection, particularly for women and girls.

(With inputs from agencies)

The European Union has accused Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko of orchestrating the arrival of thousands of people at the borders of Lithuania, Latvia, and Poland in retaliation for sanctions imposed on the former Soviet republic.

The European Union has accused Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko of orchestrating the arrival of thousands of people at the borders of Lithuania, Latvia, and Poland in retaliation for sanctions imposed on the former Soviet republic. Condemning the ''aggressive behavior'' and ''direct attack'' as an attempt to destabilise the bloc, it said Belarus was pushing asylum seekers across its border. Interior ministers of the 27-nation EU said in a statement to be issued after an emergency meeting that Belarus was seeking to "instrumentalise human beings for political purposes". “This aggressive behavior … is unacceptable and amounts to a direct attack aimed at destabilizing and pressurizing the EU,” said a statement by Slovenia, which holds the bloc’s rotating presidency until the end of the year, after emergency talks among the bloc’s interior ministers. The issue has become more acute in the light of the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan that was completed on Sunday. Many Afghans are trying to flee the country, fearing reprisals. EU member states are nervous about a replay of Europe's 2015-16 migration crisis when the chaotic arrival of more than a million people from the Middle East stretched security and welfare systems and fuelled support for far-right groups. The ministers, without direct reference to Afghanistan, said there was "a need to strengthen the entire external border" of the EU to prevent illegal crossings in the future. So far this year, more than 4,100 asylum-seekers, most of them from Iraq, have illegally crossed from Belarus into Lithuania. That’s 50 times more than during all of 2020. They’re being sheltered in temporary camps across the Baltic EU member. Poland said Wednesday it had deployed nearly 1,000 troops to its border with Belarus to help border guards cope with a surge of migrants, again mostly from Iraq, who were trying to enter the country. The migrant movements spiked dramatically after the EU slapped sanctions on Belarus officials. Many of the migrants were believed to have arrived in Belarus by plane on commercial flights from Iraq. Those flights have stopped for now, perhaps in part due to the EU’s threat to impose visa restrictions on Iraqi citizens and officials. Still, Lithuania’s border guard released video footage on Wednesday which it said reveals that migrants are being pushed across the border into EU territory by Belarus riot police. Another video showed several people cross into Lithuania and immediately return to Belarus to be filmed by Belarus officials. After talks with Lithuanian Prime Minister Ingrida Simonyte on Wednesday, EU Parliament President David Sassoli accused Lukashenko of “exploiting these poor people, men and women.” “I have seen these outrageous actions when officials push people across the border. It is both an issue of human rights, and also a question of protecting the border of the EU,” Sassoli said. “It is an organized activity of the Lukashenko regime.” The United Nations refugee agency UNHCR has said it is "deeply concerned" by border pushbacks and the Lithuanian Red Cross said it doubted they meet countries' obligations under international treaties on human rights. Ylva Johansson, who is responsible for migration and asylum in the EU's executive Commission, called on member states on Wednesday to ramp up admission quotas for Afghans in need of protection, particularly for women and girls. (With inputs from agencies)

'Direct attack': European Union accuses Belarus of using migrants as political weapon

Turkey will work with Pakistan to help stabilise Afghanistan and prevent a new flood of refugees, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Sunday.

"Turkey is facing a growing migratory wave of Afghans transiting through Iran," he said, alongside his Pakistan counterpart Arif Alvi.

<h2><a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/live-president-ghani-leaves-afghanistan-as-taliban-enter-capital-kabul-405579">LIVE: President Ghani leaves Afghanistan as Taliban enter capital Kabul</a></h2>

"We will continue efforts to enable the return of stability in the region, beginning with Afghanistan,", Erdogan said.

"To do that, we have to pursue and strengthen our cooperation with Pakistan."

"We are determined to mobilise all the means at our disposal to succeed," the Turkish leader said.

The comments came with the Taliban poised to take power on the outskirts of Kabul.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/taliban-captures-mazar-e-sharif-fourth-largest-city-of-afghanistan-405447" hreflang="en">Taliban captures Mazar-e-Sharif, fourth largest city of Afghanistan</a>

The Taliban resurgence comes after NATO troops withdrew following a decision by US President Joe Biden to pull out.

The Pakistan president was in Istanbul for the launch of a naval vessel built by Turkey for the south Asian nation that borders Afghanistan and is a key regional player.

Turkey has several hundred soldiers deployed in Afghanistan and has offered to take charge of security at Kabul's international airport after the US completes its military withdrawal by the end of August, provided financial and logistical support are forthcoming.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/taliban-ban-covid-19-vaccine-in-eastern-afghanistans-paktia-province-report-405235" hreflang="en">Taliban ban COVID-19 vaccine in Eastern Afghanistan's Paktia province: Report</a>

Erdogan has also proposed to meet the Taliban leader for talks.

The arrival of Afghan migrants on Turkey's eastern border has become a hot political topic in Ankara, with the opposition pressing the government to take strong measures to stop the influx.

The government has responded by stepping up construction of a border wall with Iran in recent days.

"With this wall, we will totally stop the arrivals," Erdogan said Sunday.

Turkey will work with Pakistan to help stabilise Afghanistan and prevent a new flood of refugees, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Sunday. "Turkey is facing a growing migratory wave of Afghans transiting through Iran," he said, alongside his Pakistan counterpart Arif Alvi.

Turkey will work with Pakistan to help stabilise Afghanistan and prevent a new flood of refugees, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Sunday. "Turkey is facing a growing migratory wave of Afghans transiting through Iran," he said, alongside his Pakistan counterpart Arif Alvi. LIVE: President Ghani leaves Afghanistan as Taliban enter capital Kabul "We will continue efforts to enable the return of stability in the region, beginning with Afghanistan,", Erdogan said. "To do that, we have to pursue and strengthen our cooperation with Pakistan." "We are determined to mobilise all the means at our disposal to succeed," the Turkish leader said. The comments came with the Taliban poised to take power on the outskirts of Kabul. Also read | Taliban captures Mazar-e-Sharif, fourth largest city of Afghanistan The Taliban resurgence comes after NATO troops withdrew following a decision by US President Joe Biden to pull out. The Pakistan president was in Istanbul for the launch of a naval vessel built by Turkey for the south Asian nation that borders Afghanistan and is a key regional player. Turkey has several hundred soldiers deployed in Afghanistan and has offered to take charge of security at Kabul's international airport after the US completes its military withdrawal by the end of August, provided financial and logistical support are forthcoming. Also read | Taliban ban COVID-19 vaccine in Eastern Afghanistan's Paktia province: Report Erdogan has also proposed to meet the Taliban leader for talks. The arrival of Afghan migrants on Turkey's eastern border has become a hot political topic in Ankara, with the opposition pressing the government to take strong measures to stop the influx. The government has responded by stepping up construction of a border wall with Iran in recent days. "With this wall, we will totally stop the arrivals," Erdogan said Sunday.

Turkey to work with Pakistan to stop new wave of Afghan migrants

Afghanistan is investigating reports Afghan migrants were tortured, pushed into a river and left to drown by Iranian border guards.

According to local media, the migrants were caught trying to enter Iran illegally from the western Herat province.

Reportedly, Iranian guards mercilessly beated the migrants&nbsp;and forced them to jump into a river duw to some of them are said to have died.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/rohingya-refugees-relocated-to-controversial-bangladesh-island-after-spending-weeks-at-sea-296449" hreflang="en">Rohingya refugees relocated to controversial Bangladesh island after spending weeks at sea</a>

However,&nbsp;Iran has dismissed the allegation.&nbsp;A foreign ministry spokesman said the incident took place on Afghan territory, not Iranian, and security guards denied any involvement.

The Afghan Human Rights Commission (AHRC) said local officials told it "Iranian security forces arrested a number of Afghan migrants seeking work who wanted to enter Iran".

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/afghanistan/us-threatens-taliban-with-retaliatory-actions-if-violence-in-afghanistan-continues-296384" hreflang="en">US threatens Taliban with retaliatory actions if violence in Afghanistan continues</a>

"They were made to cross the Harirud river [at the Afghan-Iranian border], as a result a number of them drowned and some survived," it added.

The number involved in the incident is unconfirmed but officials said dozens of migrants crossed the border, and at least seven people died with more still missing.

About three million Afghans live in Iran, including refugees and wage labourers. Hundreds of Afghans cross into Iran every day to find work.

Afghanistan is investigating reports Afghan migrants were tortured, pushed into a river and left to drown by Iranian border guards. According to local media, the migrants were caught trying to enter Iran illegally from the western Herat province.

Afghanistan is investigating reports Afghan migrants were tortured, pushed into a river and left to drown by Iranian border guards. According to local media, the migrants were caught trying to enter Iran illegally from the western Herat province. Reportedly, Iranian guards mercilessly beated the migrants and forced them to jump into a river duw to some of them are said to have died. Also read: Rohingya refugees relocated to controversial Bangladesh island after spending weeks at sea However, Iran has dismissed the allegation. A foreign ministry spokesman said the incident took place on Afghan territory, not Iranian, and security guards denied any involvement. The Afghan Human Rights Commission (AHRC) said local officials told it "Iranian security forces arrested a number of Afghan migrants seeking work who wanted to enter Iran". Also read: US threatens Taliban with retaliatory actions if violence in Afghanistan continues "They were made to cross the Harirud river [at the Afghan-Iranian border], as a result a number of them drowned and some survived," it added. The number involved in the incident is unconfirmed but officials said dozens of migrants crossed the border, and at least seven people died with more still missing. About three million Afghans live in Iran, including refugees and wage labourers. Hundreds of Afghans cross into Iran every day to find work.

Afghan migrants 'tortured', 'drowned' by Iranian border guards

Seven Afghan migrants, including three children, died sinking in a fibre boat off western Canakkale province in Turkey early on Tuesday.

According to Turkey's Anadolu news agency, the incident took place when the 6-meter boat was passing through an illegal route to reach the Greek island of Lesbos sank off Babakale village in Ayvacik district.

A total of 20 people were on-board out of which 13 were rescued safely to Babakale port as informed by a coast guard commander in a statement.

Further one of the survivors is identified to be a migrant smuggler belonging to Iran.&nbsp;

He was later arrested.

Turkey has been often used by a large number of refugees to cross into Europe.

Among those who have been arrested, a majority of migrants come from Pakistan followed by Afghanistan.

A total of 20 people were on board. The remaining 13 were rescued safely to Babakale Port, a coast guard commander said in a statement

Seven Afghan migrants, including three children, died sinking in a fibre boat off western Canakkale province in Turkey early on Tuesday. According to Turkey's Anadolu news agency, the incident took place when the 6-meter boat was passing through an illegal route to reach the Greek island of Lesbos sank off Babakale village in Ayvacik district. A total of 20 people were on-board out of which 13 were rescued safely to Babakale port as informed by a coast guard commander in a statement. Further one of the survivors is identified to be a migrant smuggler belonging to Iran. He was later arrested. Turkey has been often used by a large number of refugees to cross into Europe. Among those who have been arrested, a majority of migrants come from Pakistan followed by Afghanistan.

7 Afghan migrants die after boat capsizes off Turkey

Turkey was today deporting hundreds of Afghan migrants back home on special flights, in a major operation after thousands illegally entered the country in recent weeks.

Early Sunday morning 227 Afghan migrants boarded a charter flight from Erzurum in northeastern Turkey back to Kabul, the Dogan news agency said.

It said a total of 691 Afghan migrants would be deported this week with two more flights expected from Erzurum to Kabul later. The flights are being provided by an Afghan airline.

Dogan news agency quoted migration officials in Erzurum as saying Turkey planned to deport all 3,000 Afghan migrants who were currently in Erzurum.

In Kabul, officials denied that the refugees were being deported, insisting they were coming back home at their own choice.

"A number of Afghan refugees are coming back to the country of their own will," said Islamuddin Jurat, spokesman for the ministry of refugees and repatriations.

"They are the ones who wanted to use Turkey as a transit route to other countries, but when they failed they decided to come back."

Turkey is a major hub for migrants from Afghanistan and other troubled nations seeking to cross from Asia into Europe in search better lives and work.

Over a million migrants and refugees entered Europe largely through Turkey in 2015, prompting the EU to agree a deal with Ankara on curbing the migration in 2016.

There has been a major influx of migrants into Turkey from conflict-plagued Afghanistan in recent weeks, with reports saying almost 18,000 have entered the country illegally in the last three months.

The Afghan migrants are believed to have crossed from Iran into Turkeys eastern Van province and then moved - sometimes walking on highways on foot - to Erzurum, one of the major cities of Turkeys east.

The deportations came as Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim visited Kabul for talks with Afghan leaders. On Sunday he met Afghanistans chief executive Abdullah Abdullah.

Turkish state media quoted Yildirim as saying at a news conference with Abdullah in Kabul that Turkey was grateful for Afghanistan's cooperation over the issue.

"There is no problem here," said Yildirim.

But Turkish television carried interviews with some of the migrants about to be deported - many of whom spoke excellent Turkish - who insisted that they would try and come back to Turkey.

"Of course (I will try to come back)," one woman, who was not named, told the CNN Turk channel. "Back home, there is unemployment and a lack of security."

Early Sunday morning 227 Afghan migrants boarded a charter flight from Erzurum in northeastern Turkey back to Kabul, the Dogan news agency said

Turkey was today deporting hundreds of Afghan migrants back home on special flights, in a major operation after thousands illegally entered the country in recent weeks. Early Sunday morning 227 Afghan migrants boarded a charter flight from Erzurum in northeastern Turkey back to Kabul, the Dogan news agency said. It said a total of 691 Afghan migrants would be deported this week with two more flights expected from Erzurum to Kabul later. The flights are being provided by an Afghan airline. Dogan news agency quoted migration officials in Erzurum as saying Turkey planned to deport all 3,000 Afghan migrants who were currently in Erzurum. In Kabul, officials denied that the refugees were being deported, insisting they were coming back home at their own choice. "A number of Afghan refugees are coming back to the country of their own will," said Islamuddin Jurat, spokesman for the ministry of refugees and repatriations. "They are the ones who wanted to use Turkey as a transit route to other countries, but when they failed they decided to come back." Turkey is a major hub for migrants from Afghanistan and other troubled nations seeking to cross from Asia into Europe in search better lives and work. Over a million migrants and refugees entered Europe largely through Turkey in 2015, prompting the EU to agree a deal with Ankara on curbing the migration in 2016. There has been a major influx of migrants into Turkey from conflict-plagued Afghanistan in recent weeks, with reports saying almost 18,000 have entered the country illegally in the last three months. The Afghan migrants are believed to have crossed from Iran into Turkeys eastern Van province and then moved - sometimes walking on highways on foot - to Erzurum, one of the major cities of Turkeys east. The deportations came as Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim visited Kabul for talks with Afghan leaders. On Sunday he met Afghanistans chief executive Abdullah Abdullah. Turkish state media quoted Yildirim as saying at a news conference with Abdullah in Kabul that Turkey was grateful for Afghanistan's cooperation over the issue. "There is no problem here," said Yildirim. But Turkish television carried interviews with some of the migrants about to be deported - many of whom spoke excellent Turkish - who insisted that they would try and come back to Turkey. "Of course (I will try to come back)," one woman, who was not named, told the CNN Turk channel. "Back home, there is unemployment and a lack of security."

Turkey deports hundreds of Afghan migrants after influx

By Agnisheik Chatterji

Nineteen years. That&#39;s how long after Pakistan launched its national census this year.&nbsp;

The two-phase counting, which started on March 15, will culminate on May 25. The result is expected to be announced by end-July.

But what made Islamabad delay a fresh headcount by nine years?

The problems are manifold.&nbsp;Lack of political will, ethnic insecurity, security concerns, redistribution of wealth and political clout, are but some of the main reasons for the years-long delay.

Finally, the Pakistan government had to follow the orders of the country&#39;s supreme court. After all, the government is constitutionally bound to conduct a census every decade.

Largest-ever national headcount

Let&#39;s get down to the brass tacks of the nationwide enumeration first.

The government has spent 14.5 billion Pakistan rupees.

Around 200,000 army personnel were deployed and 118,000 civilian enumerators hired to compile the data.

Why even have a census?

It is vital for socio-economic planning.&nbsp;

And if the United Nations&#39; word is to believed, census is a &quot;powerful tool for planning&quot; not only for religious minorities &quot;but all the population of Pakistan&quot;.

For instance, if the government needs to put a schooling system in place, the census data can make their job a lot easier. Prior to building a school, the planning team will know the number of children that will benefit from this, and also the most conducive location.

Likewise with constructing roads, hospitals and other key institutions that can bolster social indices of a country.

The data will also help Islamabad in tracking internal migration.

For a fast-growing country like Pakistan, this is vital. The country is in the throes of rapid urbanisation. Three per cent every year -- the fastest in South Asia.&nbsp;

The data will help the country know the resources required to keep pace with the burgeoning population in urban centres.&nbsp;

Also, the matter of Afghan migrants. This census will count them as well. It will help the administration to keep a track on the influx of refugees in their country.

To surmise, the census is a key source tool for every country.&nbsp;

Experts say it is improbable for a country to implement social policies based on guesstimates. Especially for a developing country like Pakistan, which is hobbled by a lack of basic infrastructure.

The 1998 census pegged Pakistan&#39;s head count at 132.35 million. But experts suggest the number might now be around 200 million.

To nick a quote from the head of an Islamabad-based think tank, Abid Suleri, implementing policies in Pakistan is akin to &quot;stitching someone&rsquo;s clothes without knowing the age, height, weight and measurements&quot;.

Loss of status quo

So why has the establishment been so queasy about holding a census?

As mentioned earlier, there will be a redistribution of wealth and electoral seats.

There is a vested interest in maintaining a status quo. The powers-that-are are the keenest to keep things as they are.

Electoral seats in Pakistan are determined by population density. So, the flow of internal migration in recent years would upend the existing balance of power.&nbsp;

That has made powerful feudal landlords and political families squeamish.

At the moment, Punjab is the most politically critical province in Pakistan. Of the 342 seats in the national assembly, Punjab has 183.&nbsp; 
That means the province can single-handedly decide the outcome of a national election.

The powerful political parties enjoy widespread support in the province.&nbsp;

So, if there is a &#39;devolution&#39; of electoral seats in Punjab, parties would have to redraw their political blueprint.

Political power is likely to change hands in the country&#39;s southeast Sindh province.&nbsp;

Currently, upper Sindh is the political underdog but the recent counting is likely to change that. Lower and middle part of the province -- the hitherto political heavyweights -- would lose their current status.

Also, one of the observations gleaned from the 2013 national election is that sharp ethnic faultlines have riven the country&#39;s rural areas.&nbsp;

But rapid urbanisation, coupled with the eventual loss of electoral seats in rural areas in the aftermath of the national head count, would bring an end to such vicious votebank politics.

Regional concerns

Several concerns have been raised from various parts of the country.&nbsp;

None more so than in Pakistan&#39;s poorest province Balochistan.

Balochistan is a sparsely populated region. To give perspective, the province comprises 44 per cent area of the country, yet contributes just 4.96 per cent of the total population.&nbsp;

The federal government&#39;s decision to count Afghan refugees have been stoutly opposed by the Baloch populace.

They fear they would be relegated to minority status in their own heartland as there has been a steady influx of Afghan refugees in their province.&nbsp;

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has also raised the government&#39;s intention to count the data in Islamabad.&nbsp;

While lack of equipment has been cited as the official reason, Pashtun leaders fear data would be fudged (read undercounting) to perpetuate the region in socio-economic doldrums.

They believe that undercounting would result in the region continuing to get less funds from the federal government.

The country&#39;s 500,000-odd Ahmadis -- who are viewed by the Sunni-dominant people of Pakistan as heretics -- are also worried about the census, though they have only spoken about it in hushed tones, given the levels of persecution they have been subjected to in the last seven decades.

They are concerned that identifying themselves as Ahmadis would expose them to discrimination.

Also, Ahmadi names are not different from a Muslim name. There is a danger that the enumerator might tick an uneducated Ahmadi as a Muslim on their behalf. If caught, the person might be jailed for three years for falsely identifying himself as a Muslim.

There was also a brief flutter over the lack of recognition of all religious minorities.

The initial census form had drawn up different categories for people to state their religion -- Muslim, Christian, Hindu, Ahmadi and &#39;others&#39;.

But there was a conspicuous omission -- the Sikhs were left out.

Ironically, the Sikh religion was founded about 500 years back in what is now Pakistan.

But that was later sorted out when the courts intervened.&nbsp;

And the shining beacon of this census is that transgenders will be counted for the first time. However, there was a fork in the soup.&nbsp;

People in Peshawar were given forms without that choice. But that glitch was later wrinkled out.

(WION)

The headcount gets over on May 25, but the multi-million dollar programme has been 19 years in the making

By Agnisheik Chatterji Nineteen years. That's how long after Pakistan launched its national census this year. The two-phase counting, which started on March 15, will culminate on May 25. The result is expected to be announced by end-July. But what made Islamabad delay a fresh headcount by nine years? The problems are manifold. Lack of political will, ethnic insecurity, security concerns, redistribution of wealth and political clout, are but some of the main reasons for the years-long delay. Finally, the Pakistan government had to follow the orders of the country's supreme court. After all, the government is constitutionally bound to conduct a census every decade. Largest-ever national headcount Let's get down to the brass tacks of the nationwide enumeration first. The government has spent 14.5 billion Pakistan rupees. Around 200,000 army personnel were deployed and 118,000 civilian enumerators hired to compile the data. Why even have a census? It is vital for socio-economic planning. And if the United Nations' word is to believed, census is a "powerful tool for planning" not only for religious minorities "but all the population of Pakistan". For instance, if the government needs to put a schooling system in place, the census data can make their job a lot easier. Prior to building a school, the planning team will know the number of children that will benefit from this, and also the most conducive location. Likewise with constructing roads, hospitals and other key institutions that can bolster social indices of a country. The data will also help Islamabad in tracking internal migration. For a fast-growing country like Pakistan, this is vital. The country is in the throes of rapid urbanisation. Three per cent every year -- the fastest in South Asia. The data will help the country know the resources required to keep pace with the burgeoning population in urban centres. Also, the matter of Afghan migrants. This census will count them as well. It will help the administration to keep a track on the influx of refugees in their country. To surmise, the census is a key source tool for every country. Experts say it is improbable for a country to implement social policies based on guesstimates. Especially for a developing country like Pakistan, which is hobbled by a lack of basic infrastructure. The 1998 census pegged Pakistan's head count at 132.35 million. But experts suggest the number might now be around 200 million. To nick a quote from the head of an Islamabad-based think tank, Abid Suleri, implementing policies in Pakistan is akin to "stitching someone’s clothes without knowing the age, height, weight and measurements". Loss of status quo So why has the establishment been so queasy about holding a census? As mentioned earlier, there will be a redistribution of wealth and electoral seats. There is a vested interest in maintaining a status quo. The powers-that-are are the keenest to keep things as they are. Electoral seats in Pakistan are determined by population density. So, the flow of internal migration in recent years would upend the existing balance of power. That has made powerful feudal landlords and political families squeamish. At the moment, Punjab is the most politically critical province in Pakistan. Of the 342 seats in the national assembly, Punjab has 183. That means the province can single-handedly decide the outcome of a national election. The powerful political parties enjoy widespread support in the province. So, if there is a 'devolution' of electoral seats in Punjab, parties would have to redraw their political blueprint. Political power is likely to change hands in the country's southeast Sindh province. Currently, upper Sindh is the political underdog but the recent counting is likely to change that. Lower and middle part of the province -- the hitherto political heavyweights -- would lose their current status. Also, one of the observations gleaned from the 2013 national election is that sharp ethnic faultlines have riven the country's rural areas. But rapid urbanisation, coupled with the eventual loss of electoral seats in rural areas in the aftermath of the national head count, would bring an end to such vicious votebank politics. Regional concerns Several concerns have been raised from various parts of the country. None more so than in Pakistan's poorest province Balochistan. Balochistan is a sparsely populated region. To give perspective, the province comprises 44 per cent area of the country, yet contributes just 4.96 per cent of the total population. The federal government's decision to count Afghan refugees have been stoutly opposed by the Baloch populace. They fear they would be relegated to minority status in their own heartland as there has been a steady influx of Afghan refugees in their province. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has also raised the government's intention to count the data in Islamabad. While lack of equipment has been cited as the official reason, Pashtun leaders fear data would be fudged (read undercounting) to perpetuate the region in socio-economic doldrums. They believe that undercounting would result in the region continuing to get less funds from the federal government. The country's 500,000-odd Ahmadis -- who are viewed by the Sunni-dominant people of Pakistan as heretics -- are also worried about the census, though they have only spoken about it in hushed tones, given the levels of persecution they have been subjected to in the last seven decades. They are concerned that identifying themselves as Ahmadis would expose them to discrimination. Also, Ahmadi names are not different from a Muslim name. There is a danger that the enumerator might tick an uneducated Ahmadi as a Muslim on their behalf. If caught, the person might be jailed for three years for falsely identifying himself as a Muslim. There was also a brief flutter over the lack of recognition of all religious minorities. The initial census form had drawn up different categories for people to state their religion -- Muslim, Christian, Hindu, Ahmadi and 'others'. But there was a conspicuous omission -- the Sikhs were left out. Ironically, the Sikh religion was founded about 500 years back in what is now Pakistan. But that was later sorted out when the courts intervened. And the shining beacon of this census is that transgenders will be counted for the first time. However, there was a fork in the soup. People in Peshawar were given forms without that choice. But that glitch was later wrinkled out. (WION)

Enumerating Pakistan's census exercise

afghan-migrants

Afghan Migrants, News on Afghan Migrants, stories on Afghan Migrants, articles on Afghan Migrants, Afghan Migrants stories at Wion, Afghan Migrants news, Afghan Migrants latest news

afghan migrants