A Taliban official announced that all Afghans who fled the country after the fall of the previous Western-supported government are welcome to return, ensuring they will not face harm if they do so. Prime Minister Mohammad Hassan Akhund made this statement during his Eid al-Adha message, emphasizing peace and support for returning individuals. This amnesty offer comes shortly after U.S. President Donald Trump imposed a travel ban on twelve countries, including Afghanistan, which limits potential resettlement for Afghans in the U.S. and has significantly affected those who allied with American forces.
Afghans in Pakistan are also facing challenges, as the Pakistani government increasingly deports those awaiting resettlement. Since October 2023, nearly a million Afghans have left Pakistan to evade arrest. In his message, Akhund encouraged Afghans to return and live peacefully in their homeland, instructing officials to ensure proper services, shelter, and support for the returning refugees.
He also criticized media portrayals of the Taliban regime, defending their policies and affirming the need to sustain the Islamic system despite existing challenges. The Taliban regained control of Afghanistan in August 2021 during a rapid offensive as U.S. and NATO forces withdrew after twenty years of conflict. This led to widespread panic and a mass exodus, with many Afghans—including former officials, journalists, and activists—trying to escape the new regime. Akhund’s remarks appear to aim at mitigating fears among expatriates while asserting the Taliban’s governance legitimacy amidst ongoing criticisms.
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