The International Organization for Migration (IOM) has announced that Italy has provided €3.5 million in aid to migrants in Afghanistan.

In a statement, the organization said that the purpose of this assistance is to support returnee migrants from neighboring countries. It added that this financial aid is crucial at a time when the forced return of Afghan migrants from Iran and Pakistan is increasing.

The IOM stated: “The International Organization for Migration (IOM) welcomes a EUR 3.5 million contribution from Italy, through its Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS), to support post-arrival humanitarian assistance for returnees in Afghanistan. This funding comes at a critical time as forced returns of Afghan migrants from Iran and Pakistan continue to rise.”

“All host countries of migrants are obligated, under international documents, to strictly prevent the forced deportation of migrants to countries where their lives are at risk,” said Juma Khan Poya, an activist for migrant rights.

Previously, Pakistan’s Ministry of Interior issued a statement calling on all “illegal foreign nationals” and holders of Afghan Citizen Cards (ACC) to leave the country by March 31 of this year. This deadline has raised concerns among some Afghan migrants.

Afghan migrants are now urging the Pakistani government to extend the deadline for their deportation.

“A large number of Afghans residing in Pakistan are facing various challenges. There is evidence that some migrants, even those with legal documents, have been arrested by Pakistani police. Some have been released after paying large sums of money, while others have been deported to Afghanistan,” said Hashmat, an Afghan migrant in Pakistan.

“The deportation of migrants from Pakistan is the most difficult decision. I urge the Pakistani government to treat Afghan migrants with compassion,” said Shabana, another Afghan migrant in Pakistan.

Pakistan’s Ministry of Interior has warned that if the specified migrants do not leave the country by the given deadline, the deportation process will begin on April 1 of this year.