RASC News Agency: Concerns have been raised by some citizens of Herat province regarding the escalating rental prices, particularly in the housing sector, attributing this surge to the expulsion of Afghanistani from Iran and Pakistan to Afghanistan. Mohammad Akbari, a resident of Herat, stated in an interview with RASC News on Thursday (23rd of November) that the eviction of Afghanistani from Iran and Pakistan to Afghanistan has adversely affected the real estate market, specifically the rental prices of homes in the province. He explained that a considerable number of Afghanistani expelled from Pakistan have relocated to western provinces, especially Herat, leading to a 50% increase in house rental prices in the province over the past few months.
According to him, the rent for a house, which was previously 2,500 kabuli rupees, has now surged to 4,000 kabuli rupees, intensifying concerns among the residents of Herat. Meanwhile, Ali Ahmad, another resident of Herat, conveyed to RASC News that with the influx of Afghanistani from Iran and Pakistan back to Afghanistan, the prices of all goods, especially real estate, are expected to rise. He added that Taliban authorities are currently grappling with a significant wave of Afghanistani expelled from neighboring countries and need to implement a systematic plan to control the rising costs of goods and properties. He further emphasized that if prices continue to soar across all sectors, making a living in Afghanistan will become exceedingly challenging for the people, especially considering the state of employment and the economy.
Haji Khalilullah Barkzai, owner of one of the property dealers in Herat, informed RASC that the expulsion of Afghanistani from Pakistan and Iran has not yet directly impacted the increase in house prices but acknowledged the potential for future effects. He noted that when the Taliban took control, the prices of many houses had decreased due to the departure of some individuals from Afghanistan. However, with the massive influx of Afghanistani expelled from neighboring countries, the prices of vacant houses are now on the rise.
Additionally, Mohammad Naseri, a civil activist in Herat, stated to RASC that Afghanistani expelled from Iran and Pakistan have had all their assets documented by the governments of these countries, especially Pakistan. He added that without the expulsion of Afghanistani from neighboring countries, prices across all sectors have been steadily increasing, and there has been no relief so far. These sentiments are expressed amidst the backdrop of numerous assurances from Taliban authorities in the province claiming favorable conditions for the people.
It is worth mentioning that, according to reports from the governments of Pakistan and Iran, more than two million Afghanistani have been expelled from these two countries. It is also mentioned that some of the expelled individuals from Pakistan to Afghanistan are of Pakistani origin.
