The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) reported that over 761,200 Afghan refugees have returned from Pakistan in the past year. Of these, more than 36,000 individuals were forcibly expelled from Pakistan.
The UNHCR report states, “Since 15 September, over 761,000 Afghans have returned to Afghanistan. An average of 23,000 have returned in each of the past two months.”
Meanwhile, the acting permanent representative of Afghanistan to the United Nations, Naseer Ahmad Faiq, has described the situation of Afghan refugees in Iran and Pakistan as dire, emphasizing the need to prevent the forced expulsion of Afghan refugees.
Naseer Ahmad Faiq commented, “Repatriation must always be voluntary, conducted in conditions of safety and dignity. For those who choose to return, adequate reintegration programs are essential.”
Ehsan Ahmadi, a refugee rights advocate, told TOLOnews, “A comprehensive plan is needed to support returning Afghans, providing them with housing, job opportunities, or financial support until they can become self-sufficient.”
At the same time, some Afghan refugees in Pakistan have criticized the worsening situation for Afghan citizens.
Kamila, an Afghan refugee in Pakistan, said: “Unfortunately, the situation for refugees in Pakistan is not good. Many of our compatriots face expulsion, and numerous individuals have recently been arrested by the police, with house-to-house searches taking place.”
Previously, Arafat Jamal, the UNHCR Representative in Afghanistan, called on Pakistan and Iran to cease the forced deportation of Afghan refugees. He also stressed the importance of respectful treatment for Afghan refugees in neighboring countries.