PESHAWAR: The United Nations refugee agency says Pakistan and Iran deported 2.8 Afghan refugees in recent year 2025.
The UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has said that around 1.8 million Afghans were expelled from Iran while 930,000 were deported from Pakistan, with 67 per cent of the returns carried out forcibly.
According to the UN agency, deportations from the two neighbouring countries rose by 62pc compared to last year, reflecting a sharp escalation in return movements.
The highest number of deportations was recorded in July, when about 373,000 Afghans were expelled, largely from Iran.
UNHCR once again expressed concern that many returnees particularly women and girls face serious protection risks amid the prevailing human rights situation in Taliban-ruled Afghanistan.
The report also noted that despite these protection concerns, deportations of Afghan migrants from Tajikistan continued this year, with at least 1,700 Afghans expelled from the country.
Warning of worsening conditions, the agency said that large-scale forced returns are placing further strain on Afghanistan’s already fragile humanitarian situation.
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