TEHRAN - Afghanistan’s Refugees and Repatriation Minister Sayed Hussain Aalemi Balkhi has praised Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei for having “saved a generation from illiteracy” by commanding respect for Afghan refugees and providing them with educational services in Iran.

“Ayatollah Khamenei saved a generation from illiteracy and I do not believe there could be anything greater than that,” Balkhi told IRNA on Monday.

He also thanked Iranian President Hassan Rouhani for easing legal actions against Afghan refugees.

Afghanistan’s National Unity Government welcomes the legalization of Afghan immigration, he said.

Balkhi added that the Afghan government is seeking to put an end to illegal immigration through new regulations against human trafficking.

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