Najibullah Haqqani, Minister of Urban Development and Housing under the government, criticized the existence of “malicious groups” in Pakistan during a ceremony distributing land to returnees from Pakistan in Nangarhar province. These groups, he said, are attempting to sow hatred and enmity between the peoples of the two countries.
Kabyl 24: At the same time, he expressed gratitude for the humane treatment and kindness shown by ordinary Pakistani people toward Afghan migrants, while condemning the inhumane actions of certain governmental circles in Pakistan that led to forced expulsions.
Haqqani stated: “We welcome the return of these brothers to their homeland and are delighted. We are thankful to the people of Pakistan for their good treatment of Afghan migrants over the years and their humane behavior in the past.
However, we condemn those malicious circles that treated Afghan migrants inhumanely, expelling them by force.” He emphasized that such actions violate migration principles and human rights, and should not harm the brotherly relations between the two nations.
During the ceremony, the distribution of 5,000 plots of land across 3,000 jeribs in the seventh district of Jalalabad city commenced.
Local Nangarhar officials announced that providing drinking water is the top priority, followed by other basic facilities such as roads and shelter. Qismatullah Mubariz, Head of Revival and Development in Nangarhar, said: “Our primary effort is to secure water for you.
Water is the main issue in this camp; afterward, you can carry out other developments yourselves.” Nabiullah Saeed, Head of Urban Development in Nangarhar, added that the land will be distributed among 5,000 returning families.Minister Haqqani called on religious scholars to encourage the public—especially merchants and the wealthy—through sermons to assist the returned migrants.
He said: “Our religious scholars should not speak only about other topics from the pulpit but must emphasize good treatment and aid for these returning brothers. Merchants should also participate by helping dig wells, build roads, and contribute to reconstruction.”The returning migrants, many of whom arrived empty-handed from Pakistan, urged the government to cooperate in building shelters and providing basic living conditions. Enayatullah, a recent returnee from Pakistan, said: “We just returned from Pakistan.
Everything we had stayed there; they expelled us with cruelty and force. We are very happy to receive this land.” Asif Khan, another returnee, added: “We ask the government and aid organizations to provide a water system, as this is a desert area.
We need shelters built, and opportunities for work and employment created.”Nangarhar hosts the largest number of migrants returning via the Torkham crossing, with nearly 75% of them settling in this province.
However, these individuals continue to demand facilities in housing, permanent employment, and education for their children.
The ceremony took place amid strained Afghanistan-Pakistan relations due to widespread forced expulsions and border tensions, yet Taliban officials are striving to preserve people-to-people ties.
