UN: More than 2.4 million refugees return from Iran and Pakistan; Warning of a new humanitarian crisis

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has announced in its latest report that more than 2.4 million Afghans have returned to the country from Iran and Pakistan since the beginning of 2025. This, according to the agency, has deepened the humanitarian crisis in the country.

According to the report, more than 40,000 Afghan migrants have returned from Iran in the past week alone, bringing the average daily return to about 5,800. This is the same figure as last week, when about 5,600 migrants returned a day.

 

Pakistan's deportation plan pressure

According to the UN, the second phase of the return of illegal foreigners in Pakistan began in April and now includes holders of registration cards (PORs). The Pakistani government has announced the deadline for the project on August 31.

Meanwhile, local sources and Afghan refugees told Amu Media that Pakistani police in Balochistan province have begun arresting and forcibly deporting Afghan refugees despite the extension of the deadline. They say migrants are arrested from their homes and workplaces and first transferred to temporary police prisons in Quetta before being returned to Afghanistan via the Durand Line.

"Pakistan is not good to us at all, it treats us badly every day," said a migrant in Pakistan. We have to go back to our country."

 

Difficult situation in Iran

In Iran, the situation of migrants has become more difficult after the census cards expired on March 20 and the implementation of the organization and return plan. The scheme has affected about two million migrants.

The United Nations has warned that Afghanistan's border posts are under severe pressure due to lack of resources and security concerns. The agency said only 29 percent of the $478 million humanitarian budget needed for 2025 had been funded so far.

 

Concerns about violations of immigrant rights

In addition to Iran and Pakistan, reports indicate that Afghan migrants can only enter Tajikistan with valid passports and visas, but Tajikistan authorities have in some cases arbitrarily deported known migrants; This has caused widespread concern.

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has called on countries in the region to return Afghan refugees only voluntarily, safely and with dignity. The organization stressed that the current trend of forced evictions has put severe pressure on host communities and Afghanistan's human resources.

 

A new wave of humanitarian crisis

The UN says many returnees enter the country without adequate assets or facilities; While Afghanistan is facing economic hardship, human rights restrictions, natural disasters and lack of access to basic services, it is now facing a massive wave of returnees.

"We have been told to take all your belongings and return by the 31st, as you came," said Khair Mohammad, head of the Afghan Solidarity Organization in Pakistan's Balochistan province.

Meanwhile, Khan, a politician in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, also warned: "We accept the policy of the Pakistani government, but the disrespect and confiscation of our brothers' assets is unacceptable and we will not allow it."