ISLAMABAD: The Afghan Taliban on Wednesday registered 1,800 unemployed Afghans, who were recently deported from neighbouring countries, for potential employment in Qatar.
This registration is part of the latest phase of a labour agreement Between and Afghanistan and the Gulf state, according to the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs.
The programme is intended to help alleviate unemployment in Afghanistan, with the Taliban stating that discussions are also underway to send Afghan labour to Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Oman, Turkey, and Russia.
د کار او تولنیزو چارو وزارت خبرتیا!
په تېرو دوو کلونو کې راستانه شويو هېوادوالو ته، قطر شاهي هېواد ته په قانوني ډول د افغان ماهرو کارګرانو د لېږد پروسې، ۱۸۰۰ بستونو لپاره د نوملیکنه بهیر د یوې بلې ورځې لپاره هم وغځید.
اوس نوي راستنه شوي هېوادوال کولی شي؛ چې سبا پنجشنبه، د اسد په…— Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs – Afghanistan (@Molsa_gov_af) August 13, 2025
Last month, 3,100 Afghans were registered for employment opportunities in Qatar, including roles in the food and hospitality sectors, the AP news agency reported.
This year alone, at least two million Afghans have returned from Iran and Pakistan.
According to Afghan Labour Ministry spokesperson Samiullah Ibrahimi, the individuals holding refugee certificates were permitted to visit registration centres established in Kabul, Kandahar, Herat, and Nangarhar to apply for job opportunities in Qatar.
“These work visas cover 22 different job categories, and the 1,800 visas available are for these jobless Afghan returnees,” he said.
Poyan Ahmadi, who left Iran, said he wanted the Taliban government to talk to other countries. “Here in Afghanistan, there is no work, and there is a shortage of job opportunities.”
It may be recalled that in April this year, an Afghan interim government representative in Pakistan had made a categorical statement regarding the repatriation of Afghan refugees, assuring them of complete support and assistance in settling back in their home country upon return.
During a media briefing in Peshawar, Afghan Consul General Hafiz Mohibullah Shakir said, “The Emir informed us that a special commission has been formed under the leadership of Abdul Salam Hanafi to oversee the return process. The commission is comprised of the heads of ministries, including Interior, foreign affairs, defence, and rehabilitation.”
“Many Afghan refugees have spent over 45 years in Pakistan, so it’s natural for them to have concerns about what life in Afghanistan will be like,” Shakir said.
