Numerous Afghan refugees expelled from Pakistan have reported a severe lack of housing and land upon their return to Afghanistan, prompting urgent appeals for assistance from the interim Afghan government.

Bakhtiar, one of the returning refugees, shared his plight with TOLOnews, stating, “All our crops and livestock have been destroyed due to the raids conducted against us. My son Bayarzada was arrested, and those who remained at home were also sent back.”

Another refugee, Mohammad Nabi, expressed the desperation of many in their situation, insisting, “We demand job opportunities be created for us in Afghanistan. We have no homes, no land, and all our belongings are left outside. Our most pressing need right now is housing.”

In response to the increasing number of returnees, Afghanistan’s Ministry of Urban Development has announced the establishment of several residential colonies designed to accommodate these refugees.

The ministry spokesman, Kamal Afghan, reported that 60 colonies have been prepared and more are in the pipeline as provincial offices continue their efforts.

However, a recent report by the World Food Program (WFP) signifies a troubling trend, as the expulsion of Afghan refugees from Pakistan has seen a significant uptick, with projections indicating that an additional 1.6 million individuals may return soon.

The report attributes the worsening humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan to the suspension of American aid alongside the ongoing influx of returnees.

The report further highlights that, since August 2021, over 2.7 million undocumented Afghan citizens have been repatriated from Pakistan and Iran. This trend has intensified into 2025 due to intensified crackdowns on illegal migrants, creating added pressure on host communities in border provinces.

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Advocacy groups, including activist Jumma Khan Poya, stress the vital need for psychological support, financial aid, transportation, and other essential services, calling on international organizations and humanitarian aid agencies to provide immediate support to returning Afghan refugees.

Furthermore, the International Committee of the Red Cross and Red Crescent reported that from April 1 to 7, a total of 1,825 Afghan families, comprising 12,775 individuals, returned to Afghanistan via Torkham and Spin Boldak routes.