Over 393,000 Afghan migrants have been deported from Iran and Pakistan in the first five months of 2025, according to recent reports. This wave of deportations has left many Afghans, including vulnerable families and individuals, grappling with an uncertain future in their homeland. The deportees, often forcibly returned, face significant challenges reintegrating into a country marked by economic hardship and ongoing humanitarian needs.
The Islamic Emirate has pledged support for returning Afghans, with efforts to cover transportation costs to their home provinces. However, the scale of deportations has strained local resources, particularly in regions like Herat, where returnees face deep poverty. Posts on X highlight the emotional toll, with some deportees, including children born abroad, expressing distress over being sent back to a country they barely know, where access to education and basic services remains limited.
These deportations occur against a backdrop of strained regional relations. Political tensions between Afghanistan and its neighbors, particularly Pakistan, have disrupted trade and economic ties, further complicating the situation for returnees. The Afghan Ministry of Economy has prioritized supporting returnees, but with 22 million people in need of humanitarian aid, the capacity to assist remains under pressure.
The international community has raised concerns, with organizations like Amnesty International calling for Pakistan to halt forced deportations and respect international laws protecting refugees. Meanwhile, Afghans who fled to the United States face additional risks, as recent policy shifts threaten to deport thousands, including those who aided foreign forces during the war.
As the situation evolves, deported Afghans continue to navigate a precarious reality, caught between regional politics and the struggle for stability in their homeland.
Published in SouthAsianDesk, July 11th, 2025
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