The Administrative Deputy Prime Minister, Mawlawi Abdul Salam Hanafi, says that under the order of the leadership of the Islamic Emirate, every returning refugee family across the country will immediately receive one plot of land for housing.
Hanafi made these remarks during a visit to Logar province and instructed provincial officials to provide clean drinking water, roads, hospitals, madrassas, and schools in refugee townships.
He added that with the return of more than five million refugees over the past nearly five years, Afghanistan’s population has increased by 11 percent.
The Administrative Deputy Prime Minister said:
“At the same time, our returning refugees are being severely mistreated and are not being allowed to enter Afghanistan. This is against all principles. So far, more than five million migrants have returned to the country, and many more are on their way.”
Mawlawi Abdul Salam Hanafi also stated that between four thousand and seven thousand refugees return to the country daily from neighboring countries. He instructed provincial officials to pay special attention to building drinking water systems, roads, hospitals, madrassas, and schools in refugee settlements.
He further said:
“We held detailed discussions with provincial officials on this matter. The goal is that every returning family should immediately receive one plot of land.”
The spokesperson for the Ministry of Urban Development and Housing, Kamal Afghan, said:
“So far, thousands of plots have been distributed in various provinces. In addition, other reserve areas have been identified and confirmed. This is to ensure that if the current lands and townships become full, land will also be available for future returnees. Our specialists are working to build standard townships on these lands.”
Meanwhile, Afghan refugees expressed satisfaction with the Islamic Emirate’s initiative and requested that the land distribution process be accelerated. They also asked for employment opportunities and access to education.
A recently returned refugee, Ahmadullah, said:
“The Islamic Emirate has promised land and housing, and we see that they are trying their best. God willing, everything will be arranged.”
On the other hand, Afghan refugee activists described the Islamic Emirate’s action as an important step toward providing shelter and housing for returning refugees. They emphasized that the Islamic Emirate should resolve refugee-related challenges and problems with neighboring countries through dialogue.
The distribution of land to returning refugees comes at a time when the forced deportation of Afghan migrants from Pakistan and Iran has accelerated. Because of this, international refugee organizations have urged Pakistan and Iran to stop the forced expulsion of Afghans.
According to the Ministry of Urban Development and Housing, the process of providing land to support returning refugees has been accelerated, and so far land has been distributed to more than 20,000 returning families.
