Latest News
Almost 154,000 Afghan refugees return home from neighboring countries in past two weeks
Deputy Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General and UN Humanitarian Coordinator for Afghanistan, said during a meeting with Deputy Prime Minister Abdul Salam Hanafi on Sunday that over 4.5 million Afghan refugees have returned to the country since 2023.
The Ministry of Refugees and Repatriation of Afghanistan on Tuesday told Ariana News that almost 154,000 Afghan refugees have returned to the country from Pakistan, Iran, and Turkey over the past 15 days.
Abdul Mutalib Haqqani, spokesperson for the ministry, said that during the past two weeks, 26,044 families, totaling 136,169 individuals, have returned voluntarily or through forced deportation from neighboring countries.
According to Haqqani, 24,787 families returned from Pakistan; 1,251 families from Iran; and six families from Turkey. In addition, 16,603 single individuals were deported from these countries, while 1,132 Afghans were released from prisons in Pakistan. With these figures included, the total number of returnees over the past 15 days totals 153,931 people.
Haqqani added that the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA) has provided initial assistance to returnees, including food, water, clothing, healthcare services, free SIM cards, cash aid, and transportation to help them resettle.
UN puts returnees at 4.3 million since 2023
Indrika Ratwatte, Deputy Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General and UN Humanitarian Coordinator for Afghanistan, said during a meeting with Deputy Prime Minister Abdul Salam Hanafi on Sunday that over 4.5 million Afghan refugees have returned to the country since 2023.
Ratwatte noted that managing such a large influx of returnees would pose a major challenge for any country, but the Islamic Emirate has effectively handled the process, ensuring essential services and support for those coming back.
A report by the Mixed Migration Center (MMC) for the third quarter of 2025 meanwhile stated that Afghan returns from Iran and Pakistan continued to rise between 3 July and 24 September.
Returns meanwhile from Iran peaked in early July, with 43,000 recorded on 1 July alone. The surge followed regional instability linked to the June conflict with Israel and Iran’s late May announcement requiring all undocumented Afghans to leave the country by 6 July.
Although daily return figures declined later in the quarter, more than 2.1 million Afghans have returned from Iran in 2025.
Iran’s Interior Minister, Eskandar Momeni, announced on 17 August that the government intends to deport two million Afghans by March 2026.
In Pakistan, authorities announced on 31 July that Afghans holding Proof of Registration (PoR) cards would be subject to deportation under the “Illegal Foreigners Repatriation Plan.”
Over 1.3 million Afghans hold PoR cards, many of whom have lived in Pakistan for decades.
On 25 September, the Pakistan government announced plans to close 16 Afghan refugee camps in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Balochistan, and Punjab, affecting over 90,000 refugees. Many of these camps, established during the 1980s Soviet invasion, have become long-term settlements for multiple generations.
Turkey takes action
In addition to the repatriation measures undertaken by Pakistan and Iran, Turkey has also intensified its actions against Afghan migrants in the country.
In the latest round of operations targeting undocumented Afghan refugees, police in Sakarya province detained 24 Afghan citizens who had entered Turkey illegally in a truck.
Authorities reported that the truck driver was also arrested on human trafficking charges and referred to judicial authorities for further investigation. The detained individuals were transferred to a special immigration detention center on Saturday, November 7.
This development came just a day after Turkish police apprehended another group of Afghan nationals in the cities of Sakarya and Karadeniz.
According to the Turkish Interior Ministry, more than 30,000 Afghan refugees have been identified and detained across various cities in Turkey since the beginning of this year.
Latest News
Security Sources: Pakistani military shelling in Kunar and Nuristan leaves female doctor dead
The sources said the vehicle was struck by gunfire and subsequently fell into the Kunar River.
Security sources report that several security incidents in the eastern provinces of Kunar and Nuristan have resulted in the death of a female doctor, injuries to others, and several people reported missing.
According to the sources, early Thursday morning at around 9:30 a.m., Pakistani military forces opened fire on a Toyota vehicle in the Dokalam Baghcha area of Nari district in Kunar province.
The sources said the vehicle was struck by gunfire and subsequently fell into the Kunar River. As a result of the incident, a female doctor was killed and another person was injured. Five other individuals who were reportedly in the vehicle remain missing, the sources added.
In a separate incident, security sources stated that around 11:00 a.m. in the Seno area of Shultan district, Kunar province, Pakistani forces carried out artillery shelling that left one person injured. The injured individual was transferred to the provincial hospital for medical treatment.
Meanwhile, security sources in Nuristan say that despite Pakistan’s announced ceasefire, the main road between Kamdesh and Barg-e-Matal districts has been completely closed to traffic since Thursday morning.
According to the sources, the closure of the route has caused serious difficulties for local residents, preventing any movement in the area. The sources also claim that Pakistani military posts are located within close proximity of the road and have opened fire on people attempting to pass through the area.
Latest News
UN Secretary-General condemns Pakistani airstrike on Kabul rehab center
Meanwhile, a spokesperson for the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed concern over rising tensions between Afghanistan and Pakistan, stressing the importance of diplomacy to resolve conflicts.
The United Nations Secretary-General has strongly condemned a Pakistani airstrike on a rehabilitation center for addicts in Kabul and expressed condolences to the families of the victims.
The attack, which occurred on March 16, reportedly left over 600 people killed or injured, according to local sources.
In an official statement, Antonio Guterres, UN Secretary-General, emphasized that under international humanitarian law, patients, medical staff, and healthcare facilities, including hospitals, must be respected and protected at all times.
Farhan Haq, Deputy Spokesperson for the UN Secretary-General, stated: “The Secretary-General strongly condemns the airstrike in Kabul, the capital of Afghanistan, on March 16, which reportedly resulted in the deaths and injuries of civilians at a medical facility.”
Haq added that Guterres has called for an independent and impartial investigation into the incident, while offering his deepest condolences to the families of the victims and wishing a speedy recovery for the injured.
The Secretary-General reiterated the urgent need to reduce tensions and immediately halt hostilities between Afghanistan and Pakistan, emphasizing that disputes should be resolved through dialogue and peaceful solutions in accordance with the UN Charter.
Meanwhile, a spokesperson for the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed concern over rising tensions between Afghanistan and Pakistan, stressing the importance of diplomacy to resolve conflicts.
This development comes after Afghanistan and Pakistan announced a temporary cessation of hostilities ahead of Eid al-Fitr, a move that regional officials hope will pave the way for a lasting ceasefire and ensure the protection of civilians in both countries.
Latest News
IEA Supreme Leader: Afghanistan’s victory lies in faith and National unity
Akhundzada also called on citizens to support the Islamic Emirate, stating that those serving in the current system are the sons of the same nation and people.
Eid al-Fitr prayers were held on Thursday at the Eidgah Mosque in Kandahar, led by Hibatullah Akhundzada, the supreme leader of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, with a large number of residents attending the ceremony.
During his sermon, Akhundzada said that if the people of Afghanistan were meant to be destroyed by bombardments and military attacks, it would have happened during the wars with the Soviet Union and the United States.
According to the Islamic Emirate leader, the key to Afghanistan’s victory and resilience lies in reliance on Islam, preservation of religious beliefs, and unity among the people. He stressed that by adhering to Islamic values, no country would be able to harm Afghanistan.
Akhundzada also called on citizens to support the Islamic Emirate, stating that those serving in the current system are the sons of the same nation and people.
At the same time, he urged government officials to ensure justice in their duties, warning that no system can survive through oppression. He added that the implementation of decrees and laws is necessary to reform society and maintain order in the country.
The Islamic Emirate leader further said that without Islam, Afghanistan could have remained under the control of the United States and NATO, but now, according to him, the country stands as an independent and free nation.
In the economic section of his remarks, Akhundzada called on traders to avoid hoarding goods and instead assist fellow Muslims in difficult times. He warned that individuals found hoarding commodities for up to 40 days would face legal consequences.
-
Latest News4 days agoIEA Supreme Leader issues Eid-ul-Fitr message urging unity and support for Islamic system
-
Latest News5 days agoRegional criticism grows amid Pakistan strikes inside Afghanistan
-
Latest News5 days agoAfghan airstrike targets a military camp in South Waziristan
-
Business4 days agoTurkmenistan, Afghanistan discuss steps to speed up land acquisition for TAPI pipeline
-
Sport5 days agoIPL 2026 kicks off in under two weeks; Afghan players set to shine
-
Business5 days agoAfghanistan expands exports through Lapis Lazuli Corridor
-
Latest News1 day agoIEA announces temporary pause in defensive operations against Pakistan for Eid
-
World5 days agoTrump rejects efforts to launch Iran ceasefire talks, sources say
