More than 17,000 Afghan refugees deported and returned in a week; concerns over worsening humanitarian crisis mount

### Thousands of refugees return to Afghanistan from Iran, Pakistan; international organizations warn of the situation of returnees

Kabul Times News | Report: Shahbanu Noori

Kabul Times News findings from statistics published by the High Commission for Refugees in Afghanistan show that between June 9 and 15, more than 17,000 Afghan citizens have returned to the country from Iran and Pakistan; a process that includes forced deportations of refugees and voluntary returns.

According to these statistics, Pakistan has deported 15,461 Afghan refugees in the past week. At the same time, about 1,600 more refugees have entered Afghanistan from Iran.

These refugees have returned to the country through the Torkham, Spin Boldak, Islam Qala and Pul-e-Abrisham border crossings; The crossings have become the main entry point for deported and returned migrants in recent months.

Meanwhile, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) announced in its latest report that 114,321 people returned to Afghanistan from Iran and Pakistan between April 26 and May 9 of this year alone. The organization added that 14,778 families were among the returnees, a large proportion of whom were women and children.

According to the organization’s statistics, more than three million 501,000 people have returned to Afghanistan since the beginning of 2025, representing 487,129 families, representing one of the largest waves of returnees in recent years.

Migration experts warn that the increase in deportations and returns will put further pressure on Afghanistan’s fragile economy. Many returnee families enter the country facing problems such as unemployment, poverty, lack of shelter, limited access to health and education services, and lack of livelihood opportunities.

Aid agencies have also warned of increasing humanitarian needs in border areas and called for greater support from the international community for returnee refugees.

While the process of expelling Afghan refugees from neighboring countries continues, the future of thousands of returnee families is fraught with uncertainty and serious concerns in the shadow of the economic crisis and lack of facilities.

Report: Shahbano Noori