About 3,000 acres of land allocated to returning refugees in Balkh

The Department of Refugees and Repatriates of Balkh province has allocated around 3,000 acres of land to returning Afghan refugees, officials said, as the distribution process continues.

So far, more than 27,000 families have been registered in the province, with each set to receive one plot of land. Over 300 families have already been given land in Maulana Jalaluddin Mohammad Balkhi township.

Asadullah Wafa, head of the Department of Refugees and Repatriates in Balkh, said, “Approximately 27,000 to 28,000 families are listed. The committee has begun its work, and land documents are being processed. Land and deeds have been given to 350 families, and their documentation is complete.”

Returnees welcomed the initiative but noted that lack of permanent housing, unemployment, and limited access to health and education remain major challenges.

Agha Mohammad, a returnee, said, “We are very happy that we were given land.”

While international organizations have repeatedly expressed concern over the forced expulsion of Afghans from Pakistan and Iran, Pakistani authorities continue to increase pressure on Afghan refugees.

The process of land distribution is also ongoing in several other provinces of the country.