By Sadiq Amini
The majority of Afghans who fled the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan in 2021 now reside in Pakistan (an estimated 600,000) and Iran (500,000), adding to the totals in both countries as hosts of the highest total number of Afghan refugees worldwide – 1.35 million in Pakistan and 780,000 in Iran. The living standards and treatment of these refugees are often very poor, facing discrimination and prejudice from authorities and difficulty accessing necessities such as employment, shelter and healthcare. And hanging over them is the constant threat of deportation.
Pakistan is currently undertaking a mass deportation of Afghans, ignoring repeated calls by the international community to reconsider the decision. Iran is also deporting Afghan refugees on a regular basis.
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