KABUL (Pajhwok): More than 1,000 Afghans returned back to the country over the past three years through the government’s Contact Commission for Afghan Personalities, an official said on Monday.
Ahmadullah Waseeq, spokesperson of the Contact Commission, during an interview, told Pajhwok Afghan News a total of 1,044 people have returned back to the country and got security clearance cards.
He said some women have been also included among the returnees.
“In this series, a number of sisters who were members of parliament and the council in the previous administration or held other positions have returned to the country through the Contact Commission, they have returned to the country and are living with their friends in their country.”
He said: “Those who return to Afghanistan are citizens of this country and every privilege that is given to any other Afghan is also given to them, however, if anyone is concerned and in their opinion is threatened, the Islamic Emirate, especially the Contact Commission, takes care of their security, considering the situation.”
Waseeq said: “Those who return to the country contact this commission through various channels and are then provided with the opportunity to return through the commission.”
He said: “These people who have returned to Afghanistan, if they have legal documents, passports, and visas, there are no restrictions on them. They can go to and from other countries in a week, month, or year. There is no problem for them and they can go back.”
After the political change in the country, a number of Afghan politicians and officials from the previous government left for foreign countries, and some of them had previously been living abroad. However, on March 16, 2022, the cabinet of the Islamic Emirate established the “Commission for Contact with Afghan Personalities and Their Return to the Country” to facilitate the return of former Afghan politicians and officials from abroad.