Afghanistan Times
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KABUL — Former Afghan President Hamid Karzai has issued a strong appeal to neighboring countries, particularly Iran and Pakistan, to immediately halt the mass deportation of Afghan refugees, warning that Afghanistan’s current humanitarian and economic collapse makes any large-scale returns dangerously premature.
In a statement shared on his official X (formerly Twitter) account, Karzai acknowledged the pressures facing host nations but insisted that “the worsening situation inside Afghanistan has created circumstances in which the necessary conditions for their return do not exist.” He warned that forced repatriations risk compounding Afghanistan’s internal crises and would “benefit no one.”
The appeal comes as Kabul reports that over 500,000 Afghans have been deported from Iran in just the past month, overwhelming border provinces like Herat and Nimroz. Aid agencies have raised alarms over critical shortages of food, shelter, and medical care for returning families—many of whom are women, children, and the elderly.
Karzai emphasized that deportations amid a collapse in services, widespread poverty, and bans on girls’ education could deepen suffering. “Our expectation from host countries is to reconsider their decision,” he said, stressing that the region must adopt a more humane and coordinated approach to migration.
Pointing to decades of displacement triggered by foreign invasions and instability, Karzai reminded regional powers of Afghanistan’s long refugee history. He echoed calls from the UN and international rights groups urging compliance with international laws protecting vulnerable populations from forced return.
Karzai concluded by urging collective regional responsibility over unilateral action, cautioning that “a cooperative approach is essential to avoid further human tragedy.”
