Afghan diaspora makes surprising comeback to Taliban-controlled homeland
First major wave of Afghan expatriates returns home since Taliban took control about 3 years ago. Visitors focus on family reunions while showing less attention to strict social rules
After roughly three years of Taliban rule many Afghan ex-pats are making their first trips back to their birth-land. The trend shows a shift in how overseas Afghans view their home-countryʼs situation
The main reason for these visits is simple — reconnecting with family members who stayed behind (which creates both joy and mixed feelings). Most returnees come from nearby countries and western nations where theyve settled after leaving Afghanistan
Despite Talibanʼs strict social policies — including no university for women and girls education stopping after 6th grade — visitors dont seem too worried. Local women however still limit their movement outside due to fear of running into moral-police patrols; but foreign visitors pay less attention to these day-to-day issues
The current situation shows how Talibanʼs control has become a new-normal for many Afghans living abroad‚ with family ties proving stronger than political concerns. Many visitors focus on spending time with relatives rather than discussing social restrictions: this marks a big change from their earlier views about the regime
