NewKerala.com

Afghan Exodus: 284,000 Deported from Iran, Pakistan, Turkey in One Month

The scale of Afghan deportations is reaching critical levels with nearly 300,000 people forced to return in just one month. Iranian authorities claim most returns are voluntary, but migrants describe an increasingly hostile environment. Basic rights like employment and education are being systematically denied to Afghan nationals abroad. International organizations are sounding alarms as this humanitarian crisis unfolds amid decreasing aid.

Key Points: 284,000 Afghans Deported from Iran Pakistan Turkey

  • Iran's interior minister reports 1.5 million migrants returned this solar year
  • Over 70% of returns from Iran were reportedly voluntary
  • Afghan migrants face job bans and school admission restrictions
  • UNHCR warns of increasing pressure as international aid decreases
2 min read

284,000 Afghans deported from Iran, Pakistan and Turkey in one month

Over 284,000 Afghan nationals deported from Iran, Pakistan, and Turkey in under a month, as Iran reports 1.5 million returns amid tightening migrant policies.

"The government has announced that no jobs should be given to migrants. Another problem is that the children of migrants are no longer being admitted to schools. - Morteza Nazari, Afghan migrant in Iran"

Kabul, November 21

Iran's Interior Minister stated that nearly six million foreign nationals are currently living in the country, Tolo News reported, with Minister Iskandar Momeni noting that more than 1.5 million migrants have returned to Afghanistan during the ongoing solar year.

Expanding on the scale of these returns, Momeni told Iranian media that "so far, about 1.5 million foreign nationals have been returned," stressing that Iran's capacity to host migrants remains limited despite "historical, cultural, and religious ties" with neighbouring nations.

He added that "over 70 per cent of this 1.5 million returned voluntarily," according to Tolo News.

However, while Iranian authorities present the returns as orderly and voluntary, Afghan migrants in both Iran and Pakistan describe an increasingly difficult environment marked by stricter policies and rising deportations.

Morteza Nazari, an Afghan migrant in Iran, said: "The government has announced that no jobs should be given to migrants. Another problem is that the children of migrants are no longer being admitted to schools. Also, bank cards and SIM cards belonging to migrants have been deactivated."

Amid this tightening landscape, the Ministry of Refugees and Repatriation in Afghanistan reported fresh developments involving Afghan detainees abroad, noting that more than 2,000 Afghan migrants have recently been released from prisons in Pakistan.

Tolo News reported that the ministry's spokesperson said over 284,000 Afghan nationals had been deported from Iran, Pakistan, and Turkey in under a month.

Offering further details, Abdulmutalib Haqqani said: "From these countries, 83,135 single men have returned separately from their families, and 2,076 prisoners have been released from Pakistani jails, bringing the total number of deported migrants to 284,717."

This rapid rise in expulsions has prompted growing concern from international organisations.

The UNHCR representative in Afghanistan recently warned of the increasing pressure on Afghan migrants returning from Iran, a trend unfolding at a time when international aid is decreasing.

- ANI

Share this article:

Reader Comments

R
Rohit P
While I sympathize with the Afghan migrants, every country has the right to manage its borders and resources. Iran and Pakistan are dealing with their own economic challenges. The "voluntary return" claim seems questionable though - cutting off jobs, education and banking access doesn't sound voluntary to me.
S
Sarah B
The scale is staggering - 284,000 in one month! This will create a massive humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan. India should consider providing temporary shelter and aid, especially for vulnerable groups like women and children. We have historical ties with Afghanistan.
A
Arjun K
Deactivating SIM cards and bank accounts? That's cruel. How are people supposed to communicate or access their savings? This shows the desperation of host countries, but there must be more humane ways to handle this situation. The international community needs a coordinated response.
M
Michael C
India has always maintained good relations with Afghanistan. Maybe this is an opportunity for our government to play a constructive role in regional stability. We could offer educational visas or skill development programs for Afghan youth.
K
Kavya N
The most disturbing part is children being denied education. Education is a basic right! These policies are creating a lost generation. As someone who values education deeply, this really hits hard. 😢

We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.

Leave a Comment

Minimum 50 characters 0/50