UN Special Envoy Visits Paktia, Taliban Highlight Calls for Aid & Condemn Deportations

The letter, endorsed by 44 movements, organisations, councils, associations, and cultural and social groups dedicated to supporting women, migrants, and other vulnerable populations, urges immediate action to halt these deportations.

The signatories highlight that Pakistan and Iran are deporting Afghan migrants without assessing their individual circumstances, a practice they argue violates the international obligations of both nations and fundamental human rights principles.

Field reports and documentation cited in the letter indicate that these deportations disproportionately affect high-risk groups, including former military personnel and security forces of Afghanistan’s previous government, women activists, journalists, human rights defenders, civil society leaders, religious and ethnic minorities, and unaccompanied or orphaned children.

The letter warns that forcibly returned individuals face severe risks in Afghanistan, including identification, arrest, torture, disappearance, execution, or extrajudicial punishment by the Taliban. It further underscores the dire situation for women and girls in Afghanistan, where Taliban-imposed restrictions exacerbate vulnerabilities. The forced return of women, the letter states, constitutes a grave breach of human rights, amounting to psychological torture and gender-based violence.

The coalition calls on international institutions and member states to establish emergency resettlement mechanisms, formalise the legal status of Afghan migrants, and hold relevant agencies—particularly the UN Refugee Agency—accountable for ending forced deportations. The letter stresses the urgent need for coordinated global action to protect Afghan migrants and uphold their rights.

The organisation strongly condemned the treatment of refugees and journalists by Pakistani authorities, describing it as a threat to freedom of expression. It called for Sadaat’s immediate release and raised alarm over the worsening conditions Afghan journalists face in Pakistan.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, AJSO expressed deep concern over the increasing risk of arrest for Afghan journalists residing in Pakistan, particularly those without legal documentation.

According to reports, Pakistani police detained Sadaat at her residence in Islamabad on Monday evening. She had previously worked as a reporter for Radio Bahar in Kapisa province and had fled to Pakistan to escape Taliban threats. Her family told Afghanistan International that Sadaat does not possess valid residency documents but had already secured a visa to travel to France. They warned that deporting her to Afghanistan could place her at serious risk of arrest by the Taliban.

“Such actions further deteriorate the current situation of Afghan journalists,” AJSO stated. “These are individuals who fled their country due to threats and restrictions imposed by the Taliban and are now facing insecurity, legal challenges, and unjust treatment in third countries.”

The organisation has urged embassies and international institutions to expedite the processing of Afghan journalists’ cases and to expand support programmes to assist those at risk.

The charity reported that returnees are arriving in Afghanistan without access to shelter, food, clean water, or cash. Many have been forced to abandon all possessions during their expulsion from Pakistan.

“Many are arriving in Afghanistan without any shelter, food, cash or water, and families told us they had to leave all their possessions – including animals and household utensils – behind as they cannot afford to bring them,” the statement read.

Islamic Relief’s assessment team, which visited the Torkham border crossing, noted a sharp deterioration in support services compared to previous waves of deportations. Basic humanitarian assistance that was once available is now absent, the group said.

Ramin Sadat, a staff member with Islamic Relief, described the current situation as unprecedented.

“I have previously covered the 2023 and 2024 returnee influx, but this new wave is unlike anything I’ve seen before. People arrive in droves, covered in dust, crammed onto trucks, and facing a barren border with no basic services in sight. The first thing that greets them is a harsh, windy storm swirling with dust,” he said.

The statement highlighted the overcrowding of temporary camps and warned that the arrival of more deportees in the coming days will further strain already limited resources.

Islamic Relief also expressed concern over the timing of the crisis, noting that many humanitarian aid programmes have recently been scaled back due to declining international support.

According to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), nearly 45,000 Afghan refugees have returned from Pakistan in the past two weeks, with children accounting for 58 per cent of the returnees.

The charity has urged the international community to increase support for humanitarian operations in Afghanistan to prevent a worsening of the crisis.

Karzai urged the Pakistani government to treat Afghan refugees in accordance with the principles of good neighbourliness and established international norms. His remarks follow the onset of a second wave of deportations of undocumented Afghan migrants from Pakistan.

Reports indicate that many deported refugees are being denied the opportunity to take their personal belongings with them, with assets and property allegedly seized during the expulsions.

In a statement posted on his official X (formerly Twitter) account, Karzai called on international organisations, Afghan business leaders, and traders to support the return and resettlement of the refugees. He also highlighted the importance of addressing the underlying causes of migration, particularly the ongoing ban on girls’ education beyond primary school and at university level.

“All causes of migration from the country, especially the ban on girls’ education in high schools and universities, must be eliminated so that no one is forced to leave their homeland and Afghan refugees can return home with joy,” Karzai wrote.

Since the beginning of the latest phase of deportations, tens of thousands of Afghan refugees have reportedly been returned via the Torkham border crossing.

The Taliban’s Minister of Public Health also recently commented on the situation, criticising the treatment of Afghan refugees in Iran and Pakistan. He said many were facing harassment and the unlawful seizure of their possessions.

During the meeting, Sani emphasised what he described as stable economic and trade relations between Afghanistan and Russia, expressing appreciation for Moscow’s continued cooperation.

According to a statement from the Ministry of Public Works, the two sides explored the potential acquisition of equipment, machinery, construction materials, bitumen, railway components, and other supplies from Russia. Ambassador Zhirnov reportedly conveyed Russia’s readiness to collaborate in these areas.

The ministry also confirmed that both parties stressed the importance of enhancing bilateral relations. A delegation from the Afghan Ministry of Public Works is expected to visit Russia in the near future to further these discussions.

Originally constructed in 1964 with support from the former Soviet Union, the Salang Tunnel was designed to serve as a vital transport link between Kabul and northern Afghanistan, while also facilitating trade with Central Asian countries.

Since the Taliban’s return to power in 2021, economic engagement between Russia and Afghanistan has increased. The Taliban administration is now seeking Moscow’s assistance to restore the ageing tunnel, which remains a critical infrastructure asset for the country.