Former Afghan President Hamid Karzai has called on regional countries to suspend the mass deportation of Afghan refugees, warning that the dire humanitarian and economic situation inside Afghanistan renders conditions unfit for return.

In a statement shared on his official X (formerly Twitter) account, Karzai said: “While we understand the challenges host countries face due to the large presence of refugees, the worsening situation inside Afghanistan has created circumstances in which the necessary conditions for their return do not exist. Forcibly sending them back in the current situation would not only add to the existing burdens, but could also create greater risks and serious threats — a situation that benefits no one.”

Karzai specifically appealed to Iran and Pakistan—two of the largest host nations for Afghan refugees—to reconsider their recent moves to accelerate deportations. He emphasized the need for a more humane and measured approach, particularly given Afghanistan’s ongoing economic collapse, restrictions on women’s rights, and widespread instability.

“Our request and expectation from host countries is to reconsider their decision regarding the mass and forced deportation of Afghan refugees, especially in light of the ongoing challenges — particularly the economic hardships and the closure of schools and universities to girls,” Karzai said.

Karzai’s comments come amid a growing refugee crisis. According to officials in Kabul, more than 500,000 Afghan migrants have returned from Iran in the past month alone, many of them forcibly deported.

The figure, reported by Deputy Prime Minister Abdul Salam Hanafi earlier this month, highlights the intensifying pressure on Afghanistan’s fragile infrastructure and social services.

The mass returns have overwhelmed border crossings in western provinces like Herat and Nimroz, where aid agencies have warned of insufficient shelter, food, and medical support for returnees—many of whom are women, children, or elderly.
Decades of displacement

Karzai also pointed to the historical context of Afghanistan’s refugee crisis. “The people of Afghanistan were first forced into involuntary and imposed migration nearly four and a half decades ago following the invasion of the former Soviet forces and continued foreign interventions,” he said. “As a result, they were compelled to leave their homeland and seek refuge in other countries—and this issue has only intensified in recent years.”

Host countries, especially Iran and Pakistan, have cited economic constraints, domestic political pressure, and national security concerns as reasons for accelerating deportations.

However, humanitarian groups including the UNHCR have urged these governments to respect the principle of non-refoulement, which prohibits the forced return of individuals to countries where they may face persecution or harm.

Karzai concluded his appeal by urging a cooperative regional approach that takes into account both the humanitarian needs of Afghan refugees and the practical limitations of host countries, but without resorting to mass forced returns.