An Iranian economic delegation has visited Afghanistan’s bordering province of Herat and held talks with local officials about expanding trade with the country.

The delegation is headed by Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister for Economic Affairs Rasoul Mohajir, and comprises Deputy Minister of Planning and Resource Management of the Ministry of Roads and Urban Development and the Governor of South Khorasan Province.

The Iranian embassy in Kabul said the delegation visited the Khaf-Herat railway and the industrial township of Herat, met with the provincial governor and a group of businessmen and discussed the expansion of trade between the two countries.

After Herat, the delegation will also visit Farah province to discuss ways to develop bilateral cooperation and facilitate the transportation of goods between Iran and Afghanistan.

The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA) on Friday publicly executed four individuals after they were found guilty of murder, the Supreme Court has announced.

Two were executed in Badghis province and two in Nimroz and Farah.

One of them had killed three people and the other three murdered one each, according to the court.

The court said that families of victims had been requested to pardon the murderers, but they didn’t accept it.

Pakistan called on the international community Thursday to expedite the resettlement of thousands of Afghan nationals currently in transit within the country, warning that they may face forced expulsion if not relocated by host countries by April 30.

The announcement made by Deputy Interior Minister Talal Chaudhry comes following the suspension of the US refugee admissions program, a move that has left over 25,000 Afghans facing uncertainty, the Associated Press reported.

Chaudhry indicated that Pakistan is unlikely to extend the April 30 deadline, which was previously communicated to host countries as the final date for the repatriation or resettlement of Afghan nationals.

Pakistan has deported over 11 thousand Afghan refugees after a deadline for their voluntary return expired last week. Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry said in a press conference yesterday that 11,230 Afghans have been repatriated to their country so far.

In January, Pakistan announced that all Afghan Citizen Card holders should leave the country by March 31 or face deportation. Authorities launched a drive from April 1 to expel those falling into the category. The minister clarified that no Afghan national would be allowed to come to Pakistan without valid documents. He said this deadline would not be extended but clarified that specific cases may be reviewed.