Ministry of Refugees: 1.8 Million Afghans Deported from Iran in the Past Three Months

Kabul (August 28, 2021) — The Ministry of Refugees and Repatriations reports that around six million Afghans are currently living as refugees abroad, and in just the past three months, 1.8 million Afghans have been forcibly deported from Iran, while 184,459 were deported from Pakistan and 5,134 from Turkey.

These figures were shared by Sheikh Abdul Rahman Rashid, Deputy Minister for Professional Affairs, during a press conference highlighting the ministry’s annual achievements.

He added that 2.5 million people remain internally displaced across Afghanistan. Of 48 informal IDP camps in Kabul, 25 camps (housing 5,347 families) were closed last year, and residents were returned to their original locations.

Maulvi Mahmood-ul-Haq Ahadi, Director of Planning and Policy, stated that 9,951 Afghan prisoners were released from prisons in Iran and Pakistan and returned home last year.

He noted:

• 20,000 returnees were given access to continue their education.

• 100 professional cadres (experts, traders, industrialists) were assisted in returning, and 400 more were identified abroad.

• 13,587 families were displaced due to droughts, floods, earthquakes, and other disasters.

Ahadi further explained that, under the directive of the Islamic Emirate’s leadership, 38 residential towns were established across 29 provinces, covering over 100,588 jeribs of land. Surveys for 29 towns are completed, while 9 others are in progress.

To support returnees and IDPs, 49 development and infrastructure projects were implemented across 11 provinces, valued at over 1.169 billion Afghanis and $4.46 million, in partnership with aid organizations.

He also confirmed that Afghan Refugee (POR) cards for about 1.4 million Afghans in Pakistan have been extended until June 2025.

This report comes as forced deportations of Afghan refugees by Iran and Pakistan have significantly increased in recent months.

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