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Over 88,000 Afghans returned from Iran in one week: IOM
The International Organization for Migration (IOM) has reported that between 19-25 June, more than 88,000 undocumented Afghan migrants returned home from Iran.
According to the organization, over half of those who returned during the past week were forcibly deported.
“While forced returns remain high, Iranian authorities appear to be placing greater emphasis on internal security measures over deportations,” IOM said in a report. “Afghan nationals are reportedly facing increased hostilities and uncertainty regarding their status in Iran, particularly in the context of the recent conflict between Iran and Israel.”
“Rising concerns over national security and foreign influence have contributed to a more restrictive environment, potentially signaling a shift toward stricter migration policies in urban areas.”
The IOM also noted that due to limited resources, it was only able to provide assistance to 11% of the returnees.
Since the beginning of 2025, the IOM has recorded the return of over 577,000 undocumented Afghan migrants from Iran.
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Pakistan, China envoys discuss Afghanistan, pledge closer counterterrorism cooperation
Pakistan’s Special Envoy for Afghanistan, Mohammad Sadiq, says he held talks with China’s Special Representative for Afghanistan, Yue Xiaoyong, on regional security and the latest developments related to Afghanistan.
In a post on X on Monday, Sadiq said he welcomed the Chinese envoy and his delegation to Islamabad for what he described as “productive discussions” on regional security issues.
According to Sadiq, the two sides exchanged views on the threats posed by the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and the East Turkestan Islamic Movement (ETIM), which he claimed are operating from Afghan territory.
He added that Pakistan and China agreed to strengthen bilateral coordination and deepen cooperation to counter terrorist threats and promote regional peace, security, and stability.
The meeting comes amid continued concerns by Islamabad and Beijing over militant groups they say are using Afghan soil, an allegation that the Afghan authorities have repeatedly denied, insisting they do not allow Afghanistan’s territory to be used against any other country.
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Kabul’s Omid Sabz Township declared state-owned, occupants told to seek compensation from seller
Afghanistan’s Ministry of Justice says that more than 1,500 jeribs of land known as Omid Sabz Township (Haji Nabi Township) in Kabul has been legally determined to be state-owned, and that current occupants should seek compensation from the party that sold them the land.
Barakatullah Rasouli, spokesperson for the Ministry of Justice, said the Special Court for State Land Grabbing Cases ruled that the land is officially registered and surveyed in the state’s name across five cadastral plots and has never been transferred to any individual or legal entity.
The court also ordered that the property be handed over to the Commission for the Prevention of Land Grabbing and the Restitution of Grabbed Land for implementation of the ruling.
The Ministry of Justice stressed that the commission is legally responsible for enforcing the Special Court’s rulings in cases involving state-owned land.
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Turkmenistan reviews TAPI pipeline progress at government energy meeting
TAPI’s gas supply will come from the Galkynysh field, one of the world’s largest natural gas deposits, with estimated reserves exceeding 27 trillion cubic metres.
Turkmenistan has reviewed progress on the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India (TAPI) gas pipeline and reaffirmed its commitment to expanding hydrocarbon production during a government meeting of the country’s oil and gas sector.
According to a statement issued by state-owned Turkmennebit on Monday, the meeting assessed the performance of Turkmenistan’s oil and gas industry during the first seven months of 2026. Senior officials from Turkmennebit, Turkmengaz, Turkmengeology, TAPI Pipeline Company Ltd. and other energy enterprises presented reports on ongoing projects and sector developments.
The statement said particular attention was given to construction of the Serhetabat-Herat section of the TAPI pipeline, with officials emphasizing that work is being carried out in line with international standards.
Participants also discussed priorities for the sector’s future growth, including expanding geological exploration, increasing production drilling to identify new hydrocarbon reserves, boosting oil and natural gas output, and improving the quality of extracted resources.
The 1,800-kilometre TAPI pipeline is designed to transport up to 33 billion cubic metres of natural gas annually from Turkmenistan’s Galkynysh gas field to Afghanistan, Pakistan and India. The project is regarded by Ashgabat as a key route for diversifying its gas exports while strengthening regional energy cooperation and economic integration.
TAPI’s gas supply will come from the Galkynysh field, one of the world’s largest natural gas deposits, with estimated reserves exceeding 27 trillion cubic metres. In April 2026, Turkmengaz and China’s CNPC launched the fourth phase of the field’s development, a project expected to add up to 10 billion cubic metres of commercial gas production annually through new production facilities and additional wells.
The pipeline has also attracted renewed international attention. In June, the Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs at Harvard Kennedy School said TAPI is re-emerging as an important regional energy project, highlighting its potential to connect Turkmenistan’s vast gas resources with growing demand in South Asia.
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