Iran Urges Acceleration of Electronic Passport Conversion for Afghan Families
In a meeting between Nader Yar Ahmadi, head of Iran’s Bureau for Aliens and Foreign Immigrants Affairs, and Fazl Mohammad Haqqani, acting head of the Afghan embassy in Tehran, the status of identification documents for Afghan migrants in Iran was reviewed.
Ahmadi emphasized the urgent need to convert handwritten family passports into electronic passports for Afghan nationals residing in Iran. He noted that while identity verification for priority groups has not yet been completed, the transition from traditional documents to electronic ones is being seriously pursued, with a six-month timeline targeted for completion.
He called on the Afghan embassy to play a more proactive role in raising awareness and encouraging the voluntary and sustainable return of Afghan migrants to their home country. Ahmadi also stressed that controlling the shared borders to prevent illegal crossings is a joint responsibility.
Fazl Mohammad Haqqani expressed gratitude to the Iranian people and officials for hosting Afghan migrants over the decades, describing the two countries’ relationship as an example of Islamic solidarity and humanitarian cooperation.
Haqqani stated that the Islamic Republic of Iran, by accepting millions of Afghans during difficult times, has consistently upheld humanitarian principles. He added that Iran remains committed to facilitating the dignified and voluntary return of these individuals to Afghanistan.
On the sidelines of the meeting, a report was presented on the progress of converting family passports to electronic formats and the steps taken to verify the identities of individuals holding ‘Amayesh’ cards. Despite these developments, Afghan migrants still face significant challenges in obtaining valid documentation, and the Taliban administration is not expected to play a meaningful role in resolving the issue.
