Iranian Official Urges Taliban To Facilitate Repatriation Of Afghan Migrants
Asghar Bolukian, an official at Iran's National Migration Organization, has stated that Iran can no longer sustain the influx of Afghan migrants.
Asghar Bolukian, an official at Iran's National Migration Organization, has stated that Iran can no longer sustain the influx of Afghan migrants.
Bolukian has called on the Taliban to enhance security and create economic opportunities in Afghanistan to facilitate the return of its citizens.
According to the IRIB news agency, Bolukian described Afghanistan as a "devastated and technologically backward country" and suggested that the Taliban could benefit from the skills of Afghan migrants currently in Iran to aid in Afghanistan’s reconstruction.
Since the Taliban's ascension to power in 2021, there has been a significant exodus of Afghans to neighboring countries, including Iran. However, Iran regularly detains and deports thousands of Afghan migrants back to Afghanistan each week.
During a meeting with Afghan migrants in Mashhad, Bolukian highlighted the impact of "illegal" Afghan migrants on Iran's resources, noting that their presence strains educational facilities for legal residents. He pointed out that Iran is unable to provide sufficient employment, university education, insurance, and healthcare services to all Afghans.
Bolukian’s comments come amid ongoing international aid, primarily from the United Nations, to support Iran in managing Afghan migrants. Despite this, Iranian authorities have expressed that this assistance is not enough to address the challenges posed by the influx.
