Iran accelerates issuance of visas to Afghans

By Al-Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
14 Aug 2022 21:08
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This characterizes an important milestone for the Taliban since it resumed its rule in 2021.

The Islam Qala-Dogharoun border crossing between Iran and Afghanistan, Feb. 20, 2019 (AP Photo/Rahmat Gul, File)

Iranian Ambassador to Kabul Bahadur Aminyan during a meeting with acting Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi on Sunday confirmed the upcoming acceleration of visa issuance to Afghans, in particular to migrant workers, the Afghan Foreign Ministry said.

Muttaqi also asked Iranian colleagues to help Afghan citizens with employment in Iran and ensure the accessibility of workers' trips to the country, according to the department.

Yesterday, it was reported that the Iranian special envoy for Afghanistan, Hassan Kazemi Qomi met with the first deputy prime minister of the Taliban government Abdul Ghani Baradar, and acting minister of foreign affairs, Amir Khan Muttaqi, in Kabul.

During the meetings, both sides expressed the need for promoting cooperation and collaboration in various fields, particularly the economic field, and called for a strengthening of security measures and dispositions to fight against Daesh (IS) and outlaws on both sides of the common border.

The Taliban came to power in Afghanistan in August 2021, and a deepening economic and humanitarian crisis followed. Since then, a huge number of Afghans have been leaving their homeland for neighboring countries, including Iran, in fear of joblessness and hunger.

The Taliban initially called on the population to stay in Afghanistan and help rebuild the state. However, recently, the movement has expressed the belief that labor migration can help revive the national economy and improve the living conditions of the Afghan people.