The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA) will ensure no Afghan’s rights are lost in Iran, Deputy Prime Minister for Administrative Affairs, Abdul Salam Hanafi, said while visiting Islam Qala border in Herat province.

Hanafi stated that the goal of the visit was to “closely examine the performance of local authorities and personally observe the situation to identify needed services.”

He also assured that the Islamic Emirate will discuss with Iranian authorities the issue of properties and belongings left behind by Afghan migrants.

“We are taking note of all the challenges our compatriots face, including property left in Iran, and Allah willing, we will raise them with the Iranian authorities,” Hanafi said. “We are trying to ensure that no Afghan’s rights are lost in the Islamic Republic of Iran.”

Many returnees claim they were forcibly expelled and that their money, property, and belongings remain in Iran.

Najibullah, one of the returnees, said: “They gave me a census paper, which turned into a useless formality. I couldn’t get my wages from my employer, nor my house deposit. They simply refused to pay.”

Ahmad Faheem, another returnee, said: “We had UNHCR registration cards. Iran gave us 15 days to leave the country. In that time, we couldn’t resolve anything. Landlords refused to return deposits, and employers didn’t pay wages.”

Local officials, traders, investors, and charitable organizations in Herat are working to meet the urgent needs of returnees.

Shahabuddin Delawar, Acting Head of the Afghan Red Crescent Society, said: “We serve cooked meals to 6,000 people daily, provide water and other basic necessities, and have set up medical camps for both men and women—including special care for maternal and women’s health.”

Currently, more than 30,000 people are returning daily through the Islam Qala border alone.

The feasibility study and detailed design phase of the Lorai Dam in Arghistan district, Kandahar, was officially inaugurated on Sunday.

The ceremony was attended by Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, Acting Minister of Energy and Water Abdul Latif Mansoor, Acting Minister of Information and Culture Mullah Khairullah Khairkhwa, along with tribal elders, scholars, and local residents.

Deputy PM Baradar highlighted the importance of the project, saying it reflects the Islamic Emirate’s commitment to water management and economic development. Minister Mansoor emphasized the dam’s role in water management and agricultural growth, stating that the second phase—construction—will begin once studies and designs are completed.

The feasibility study and designing will be carried out by the Afghan-German Bakhtar Company over 18 months at a cost of 102 million Afghanis.

The Lorai Dam aims to improve irrigation, generate electricity, control seasonal floods, and recharge groundwater.

Dato Ahmad Azam, Malaysia’s special envoy for Afghanistan, met with Amir Khan Muttaqi, the Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs, in Kabul, to discuss the expansion of political and economic relations as well as bilateral cooperation between Afghanistan and Malaysia.

According to a statement issued Sunday by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs,  Muttaqi said that the diplomatic, religious, cultural, and economic ties between the two countries are growing. He expressed appreciation for Malaysia’s goodwill and consistent cooperation with Afghanistan throughout history.

Muttaqi added that Afghanistan’s relations with the international community are expanding and that there are positive engagements with neighboring and regional countries. He also emphasized Afghanistan’s interest in strengthening ties with Southeast Asian nations, particularly Malaysia.

Meanwhile, the Malaysian envoy highlighted the importance of bilateral relations and described Afghanistan’s current situation as promising. He stated that the visit was arranged under the direct instruction of Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and expressed hope that high-level visits between the two countries would take place in the future.