A senior Taliban official announced that all Afghans who fled the country following the fall of the Western-backed government are welcome to return, with assurances of safety upon their arrival. Taliban Prime Minister Mohammad Hassan Akhund conveyed this message during his Eid al-Adha address, urging exiled Afghans to come back to their “ancestral land” and live in peace. This amnesty offer comes amid heightened tensions, particularly after U.S. President Donald Trump imposed a travel ban on Afghanistan and suspended a crucial refugee program, effectively leaving many Afghans stranded who had allied with U.S. forces.
In Pakistan, nearly a million Afghan refugees have also fled to avoid deportation amid an expulsion effort by the Pakistani government. Akhund emphasized the need for local officials to manage the support and services for returning refugees effectively, promising them shelter and assistance. He criticized the media for spreading what he deemed false accusations against the Taliban’s governance and policies, insisting that the achievements of the regime should be recognized amidst existing challenges.
The Taliban regained control of Kabul and much of Afghanistan in August 2021 as U.S. and NATO forces were concluding a 20-year military presence. This takeover triggered a mass exodus, with many Afghans desperately seeking to flee the country amid chaotic scenes at the airport, including former government officials, journalists, and activists who had worked with the U.S. Previously, the Taliban’s return to power had sparked fears of repression for those who had opposed them. Akhund’s overture suggests a shift in policy but raises questions about the realities awaiting returnees in Afghanistan.
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