The Ministry of Refugees and Returnees reported that 108 Afghan families returned to Afghanistan after being expelled from Iran and Pakistan.

According to the Bakhtar News Agency, on Friday, January 10, officials from the Ministry of Refugees and Returnees stated that these 108 families returned to Afghanistan on Thursday, January 9, after being expelled from neighboring countries.

Out of these families, 16 returned via the Torkham border, 19 via Spin Boldak, 31 via the Silk Bridge, and 42 via Islam Qala.

Officials added that these returning families received assistance from the local administration and were referred to aid organizations for further support.

Meanwhile, a report from the Consortium of Aid Organizations at the Afghanistan-Pakistan border has stated that, since September 15, 2024, there has been a significant increase in the return of migrants to Afghanistan via the Torkham and Spin Boldak border crossings.

It is worth noting that Afghan migrants, even those with legal documents, have recently been detained by Pakistani police and deported back to Afghanistan.

Recently, Amnesty International called on the Pakistani government to immediately release all Afghan refugees detained in Islamabad. In a statement, Amnesty also urged Pakistan to immediately revoke its policy requiring Afghan migrants to obtain a “No Objection Certificate” (NOC) in Islamabad.

The increasing number of returning Afghan families highlights the ongoing challenges faced by refugees in neighboring countries and the need for coordinated international support to ensure their protection and assistance.

Afghanistan’s economy possesses immense untapped potential, particularly in its natural resources and commercial opportunities, but much of this potential remains unrealized due to limited direct trade, according to Dr. Nagesh Kumar, former Director of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP).

Speaking at the release of the UN World Economic Situation and Prospects (WESP) 2025 report at the United Nations office in New Delhi on Thursday, Dr. Kumar told Khaama Press that political differences must be set aside for regional cooperation to flourish, ultimately benefiting the Afghan people. He also stressed the need for greater investment in Afghanistan’s critical mineral resources for economic growth.

The WESP 2025 report, published by the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN DESA), in collaboration with UNCTAD and the five UN regional commissions, offers a broad economic outlook for the global economy, with particular focus on developing regions.

Dr. Kumar pointed out that South Asia’s economic outlook remains strong, with regional GDP expected to grow by 5.7% in 2025, slightly down from 5.9% in 2024. The growth is driven by strong performances in India, as well as economic recoveries in Bhutan, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka. The report also highlights a global rise in women-owned enterprises, an encouraging trend for economic development.

Dr. Nagesh also stressed the need for Multilateral Development Banks (MDBs) to enhance their lending capacities to support developing nations in the face of growing economic challenges.

He cautioned that electoral rhetoric often does not reflect the true state of a country’s economy, urging policymakers to focus on realistic economic strategies rather than political promises. He stated further that IMF policies will determine economies like Sri Lanka, Maldives, Bangladesh.

The report further provided projections for major economies: India’s economy is expected to grow by 6.6% in 2025, following an estimated 6.9% growth in 2024, fueled by strong private consumption and investment. In contrast, China’s economy is projected to expand by 4.8% in 2025, slightly lower than the 4.9% growth forecasted for 2024.

Li Junhua, United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs, concluded that governments must adopt forward-looking policies and comprehensive regulatory frameworks to ensure sustainable resource extraction, equitable benefit-sharing, and investments in critical sectors like mineral resources to maximize developmental gains.

Despite Afghanistan’s vast natural resources and economic potential, the country faces a dire humanitarian crisis, with ongoing political instability and limited international support hindering development.

German media reports have highlighted the continued deportation of Afghan migrants from the country, with more than 1,300 Afghan asylum seekers being expelled in 2024 alone.

The Deutsche Welle (DW) news network reported on Wednesday, January 8, citing the German Ministry of the Interior, that a total of 1,361 Afghan refugees were deported from Germany in 2024 to Afghanistan or other countries.

The report further revealed that some Afghan migrants were sent back to Afghanistan, while others were transferred to countries responsible for handling their asylum cases under the “Dublin Regulation.”

The Dublin Regulation pertains to the management of asylum applications within European Union member states. It stipulates that asylum claims must be processed by the country deemed responsible according to the regulation’s rules.

Additionally, German media has reported a noticeable increase in the deportation of asylum seekers in 2024 compared to previous years. Findings from Germany’s Bild newspaper indicate that deportations have risen by approximately 20% compared to 2023.

The German federal government began focusing on Afghan deportations after several Afghan migrants with extremist Islamist ideologies were involved in violent incidents within the country. This has raised concerns over security and migration policies.

As a result, the humanitarian crisis surrounding Afghan refugees continues to deepen, with increasing deportations leaving many vulnerable individuals in a dire situation. The urgent need for international cooperation and solutions to address the plight of these refugees is becoming ever more apparent.

The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has announced that it currently supports 28,000 health workers and nurses in Afghanistan.

In a message posted on X/Twitter on Thursday, January 9th, UNICEF stated that it would continue supporting healthcare workers in Afghanistan throughout year. The aim is to provide high-quality healthcare services to mothers and children.

UNICEF emphasized that its support for health workers is essential to ensuring the delivery of essential services. Previously, the organization had highlighted that it is the only agency capable of providing food to children in Afghanistan, with around 30,000 health workers currently under its support.

International aid organizations have consistently warned about the increasing poverty and food insecurity in Afghanistan. According to the World Health Organization, about 2.9 million children under the age of five are currently suffering from malnutrition in Afghanistan, with 850,000 of them facing severe acute malnutrition.

The World Health Organization also reported that, over the past three years, it has treated 96,740 children with severe acute malnutrition in Afghanistan. Furthermore, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies expressed concern over the increasing number of children suffering from malnutrition, with 3.2 million children under five and 840,000 pregnant and breastfeeding women affected by severe malnutrition.

The ongoing humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan continues to worsen, particularly for children and mothers. Despite international efforts, the severe food insecurity and lack of resources present a dire situation that requires urgent global attention and aid.