Afghan authorities announced that a total of 565 Afghan detainees were repatriated last week, as part of ongoing diplomatic and humanitarian efforts to protect citizens held abroad.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed that 517 prisoners, previously held in Pakistani jails for up to two months, returned through the Spin Boldak border crossing in Kandahar province, while 48 Afghans detained in Iraq for six to nine months were repatriated via the Pul-e-Abresham border point in Nimroz province.

Officials emphasized that over 10,000 Afghan citizens remain incarcerated abroad, primarily in Iran and Pakistan, highlighting the continued need for international cooperation to facilitate the safe return of nationals.

“The release of these detainees reflects our commitment to safeguarding Afghan citizens and supporting their reintegration into society,” a ministry spokesperson said. Authorities stressed that many detainees face challenges related to migration or administrative detention and called on neighboring countries and international organizations to ensure timely and safe repatriation.

Afghan officials also highlighted the importance of providing medical, psychological, and social support for returning detainees, underlining that holistic reintegration programs are critical for helping citizens rebuild their lives after incarceration abroad.

The ministry described the latest repatriations as part of a broader diplomatic and humanitarian strategy aimed at protecting the rights of Afghan nationals overseas. Officials reaffirmed their determination to continue negotiations with international partners to secure the release of all Afghan citizens detained abroad and ensure their safe return to Afghan society.

“This step marks significant progress in safeguarding the rights and dignity of our citizens,” the spokesperson said, urging further international collaboration to address the ongoing detention of Afghans in foreign countries. (ILKHA)