The Taliban has ruled Afghanistan for five years since US withdrawal, remaining officially unrecognized except by Russia, while facing security improvements but significant challenges including women's restrictions and terrorism concerns that complicate international reengagement and humanitarian efforts.
The Trump administration is exploring relocating over 1,000 stranded Afghan nationals from Qatar to the Democratic Republic of Congo amid stalled U.S. visa procedures, while advocacy groups criticize the proposal over security concerns in Congo.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced Pakistan deported over 2.4 million Afghans since 2023, framing it as orderly repatriation, while UN agencies and rights groups warn the deportations strain Afghanistan's humanitarian crisis affecting 21 million people needing assistance.
Pakistan's crackdown forced over 19,000 Afghans to return in four days, straining Afghanistan's fragile economy as 92 percent of returnees lack basic necessities amid Taliban restrictions and cross-border tensions.