Taliban Administration Reports Return of Millions of Migrants and Social Program Implementation

Zabihullah Mujahid, spokesperson for the Taliban administration, announced on Wednesday, December 30, that approximately 2.8 million Afghan migrants and citizens have returned to Afghanistan from foreign countries over the past year. According to him, most of these individuals have been relocated after their return, and the repatriation process has been “appropriately” managed.

Mujahid added that basic services have been provided to these returnees, and the distribution of housing settlements for them is ongoing. However, no clear details have been released regarding the quality of these services, the criteria for housing distribution, or the living conditions of the returnees—issues that have consistently raised concerns among oversight organizations and the families of returnees.

The Taliban administration spokesperson also stated that over the past year, 35,228 individuals addicted to drugs nationwide have undergone treatment and returned to normal life. Social experts emphasize that the sustainability of such programs requires continuous support, transparency, and the provision of employment opportunities and long-term treatment.

According to Mujahid, in major cities, 10,664 beggars have been gathered and stabilized, and each impoverished individual has received two thousand Afghanis in cash assistance—a sum many city residents consider insufficient to meet basic needs.

In the water management sector, the Taliban administration claimed that last year nine large dams were either completed or remain under construction, and 341 small dams have been built. Critics argue that the lack of accurate information, independent oversight, and assessment of the environmental impacts of these projects makes it difficult to realistically evaluate their achievements.