Amnesty International’s South Asia Regional Office has raised alarm over what it describes as the mass and accelerating expulsion of Afghan refugees from countries around the world, warning that the situation is worsening day by day.

In a statement, the rights group said millions of Afghans are being forced to leave host countries, where many face arbitrary arrests and family separations. It added that those who are returned to Afghanistan are increasingly exposed to serious human rights violations, at a time when the country is already facing one of the world’s most severe humanitarian crises.

“Millions of Afghan refugees are being expelled across the globe, and that number keeps climbing day by day,” the organization said, highlighting what it called a growing pattern of forced returns and rights abuses.

Amnesty International stressed that such expulsions must end immediately, urging all states to respect international obligations. It said individuals in need of international protection must be safeguarded in line with international human rights law and refugee protection standards.

The organization did not name specific countries in its statement but called for stronger global accountability to prevent further harm to vulnerable Afghan migrants and asylum seekers.

Humanitarian agencies have repeatedly warned that Afghanistan’s fragile socio-economic conditions make large-scale forced returns particularly dangerous, especially for families, women, and children.

Amnesty International urged governments to prioritize protection over deportation and to ensure that Afghan refugees are not returned to unsafe conditions.

Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has stressed that a peaceful, stable and economically resilient Afghanistan is essential to ensuring the safe, dignified and sustainable return of Afghan refugees.

In a message marking World Refugee Day, Sharif said the occasion serves as a reminder that protecting refugees and supporting their safe rehabilitation is a shared responsibility of the international community.

He noted that millions of Afghans sought refuge in Pakistan following the events of 1979, fleeing decades of conflict and insecurity. Despite limited resources, Pakistan opened its crossings and hosted Afghan refugees for more than four decades, providing access to education, employment and essential services.

Sharif said Pakistan has remained one of the world’s largest refugee-hosting countries and has managed the welfare of millions of Afghan nationals throughout this period.

He added that Pakistan launched a phased, orderly and dignified repatriation process in September 2023, with more than 2.4 million Afghan nationals returning home by June 2026.

The prime minister acknowledged that hosting millions of refugees placed significant economic, social, environmental and security pressures on Pakistan, while reaffirming his country’s commitment to working with the International Organization for Migration (IOM), the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and international partners to support the voluntary return and reintegration of Afghan refugees.

Officials from the Ministry of Urban Development and Housing say efforts are underway to address the growing housing shortage across Afghanistan through new development initiatives in multiple provinces, including Kabul.

According to the ministry, 41 sites have been allocated in Kabul city for the construction of residential townships, with building work expected to begin soon.

The ministry said it is also working to expand housing investment in cooperation with the private sector as part of broader urban development plans.

Private sector representatives say investment in the housing sector remains a key priority, stressing that Afghanistan has strong potential for real estate development amid rising population growth.

Economic analysts also say the country offers favorable conditions for investment in housing and have called on the ministry to provide further incentives and facilitation for private investors.

They add that improved conditions could attract hundreds of millions of dollars in investment and create employment opportunities for thousands of people nationwide.