Draught, security flaws cause migration in Afghanistan

By Halil Silahsor

ISTANBUL (AA) - Drought and security flaws have caused the forced migration of nearly 2 million people in Afghanistan, that country’s top official for refugees and migration told Anadolu Agency on Thursday.

“There are more than four million Afghan refugees in Iran and Pakistan,” said Sayed Hussain Alimi Balkhi.

Internal conflict and drought also caused nearly 790,000 people to migrate inland, with 30,000 staying in Herat, Badghes and Faryab provinces, he added.

- Afghan refugees in Iran

He said nearly 450,000 of more than 2 million Afghan refugees in Iran have passports, while 800,000 have no official papers.

“Nearly 500,000 Afghan receive education in Iran’s schools,” he said, adding “16,000 Afghan have bachelor, master’s art and doctorate certificates in Iranian universities.”

- Pakistan’s positive approach to refugees

“The approach has been improved after Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan took office,” Alimi Balkhi said, highlighting job opportunities like weaving.

The minister said Pakistan has conferred citizenship for 350,000 Afghan refugees out of 2.5 million in the country. He said nearly 400,000 refugees without official papers stay in a camp-side and their children receive education in Pakistan’s schools.