The UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) office in Pakistan has announced a halt to cash assistance for most Afghans returning from Pakistan due to global funding constraints.
Under the new measures, support will be restricted to vulnerable returnees and holders of Proof of Registration (PoR) cards. The UNHCR confirmed that the reduced assistance came into effect on Friday, citing worldwide financial pressures that have limited its ability to deliver humanitarian aid.
The agency acknowledged the hardships facing Afghan families and stated that broader support would resume if additional funding becomes available. Only Afghans registered with UNHCR or holding PoR cards will now be eligible for cash support.
The announcement comes amid intensified efforts by Pakistan to expel Afghan migrants, with reports suggesting that around 7,000 people were removed in a single day. Human rights groups have criticised the mass deportations, warning of severe humanitarian consequences, while UN experts have urged Pakistan to uphold its international obligations.
Iran is also deporting thousands of Afghan migrants daily, and the UN Security Council has noted that humanitarian assistance inside Afghanistan is becoming increasingly complicated as neighbouring countries continue mass expulsions.
