As deportations of undocumented Afghan immigrants rise in Pakistan, families like Nabila's struggle with uncertainty and heartache, as they grapple with the risks of returning to a Taliban-controlled Afghanistan where they fear for their lives.**
Afghan Refugees in Pakistan Face Growing Threat of Deportation**
Afghan Refugees in Pakistan Face Growing Threat of Deportation**
Many Afghans living in Pakistan deal with the anxiety of potential deportations amid tightening border policies and fears of violence back home.**
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Article Text:
For Afghans residing in Pakistan, everyday life has become overshadowed by an impending sense of dread. Nabila, a 10-year-old girl whose real name has been changed for safety, recounts the tears and fears of her family as they navigate life in the capital, Islamabad. Her father, a former member of the Afghan military, is terrified of being forcibly returned to a homeland ruled by the Taliban, where many former government officials face persecution.
Since a directive was issued late last year, many families like Nabila's have found themselves trapped in small homes, praying that authorities will not come knocking. Their local school has barred Afghan enrollment unless families possess valid Pakistani birth certificates, limiting their access to education and casting a shadow over their future.
The rising tide of deportations affects the lives of approximately three million Afghans in Pakistan, with the UN estimating that over half lack legal documentation. Distrust and fear run rampant, exacerbated by reports of police raids and a surge in arrests—over 1,200 Afghans were detained in January alone.
The Pakistani government, frustrated with the slow pace of US resettlement programs, has drawn a hard line against undocumented immigrants, even as Afghan families plead for help. Hamid, Nabila’s father, says that their only refuge is to remain hidden. He confesses to feeling worthless after dedicating his life to serving his country—now the Taliban views him as a target.
Despite Taliban claims that all Afghans can return safely, a recent UN report highlights ongoing violence against key figures from the former regime, deepening fears among Afghan refugees. Families like Nabila’s have developed a network of support among neighbors, sharing resources and housing to evade detection.
Amidst these challenges, stories of hope shine through; Nabila dreams of becoming a model, a bittersweet aspiration in a society where educational rights for girls are stripped. Her mother, Maryam, recalls the heartache of losing friends who have been deported back to Afghanistan, further compounding the isolation and despair felt by many Afghan families.
In recent months, Pakistan’s deportation strategies have intensified as the nation grapples with security concerns—millitant attacks fueled by tensions with Afghanistan have led to blame being cast by the Pakistani government, complicating the already fraught refugee situation. With a looming deadline for undocumented immigrants to leave the country, families face impossible choices, wondering where they can find safety.
Ahmad, another Afghan awaiting resettlement, recently experienced a devastating encounter when police raided his community while his family was home alone, leaving his daughter terrified and seeking his help. Detentions like these have been described as inhumane, revealing the plight of families packed into holding areas with minimal provisions amid government assurances that all deportations will be conducted humanely.
With fears of repatriation driving a wedge between communities, some Afghans are attempting to flee to rural areas, while others feel they cannot afford such a risk. Running from the threat of deportation—as well as memories of a life before—has turned daily life into an endless cycle of anxiety. Families express deep sorrow at the loss of their homeland, reiterating, "If our country were safe, why would we come here?"
The resilience of these Afghan refugees is tested daily in Pakistan, caught between a history of friendship and rising hostility, unsure of where their next step will lead them.
Article Text:
For Afghans residing in Pakistan, everyday life has become overshadowed by an impending sense of dread. Nabila, a 10-year-old girl whose real name has been changed for safety, recounts the tears and fears of her family as they navigate life in the capital, Islamabad. Her father, a former member of the Afghan military, is terrified of being forcibly returned to a homeland ruled by the Taliban, where many former government officials face persecution.
Since a directive was issued late last year, many families like Nabila's have found themselves trapped in small homes, praying that authorities will not come knocking. Their local school has barred Afghan enrollment unless families possess valid Pakistani birth certificates, limiting their access to education and casting a shadow over their future.
The rising tide of deportations affects the lives of approximately three million Afghans in Pakistan, with the UN estimating that over half lack legal documentation. Distrust and fear run rampant, exacerbated by reports of police raids and a surge in arrests—over 1,200 Afghans were detained in January alone.
The Pakistani government, frustrated with the slow pace of US resettlement programs, has drawn a hard line against undocumented immigrants, even as Afghan families plead for help. Hamid, Nabila’s father, says that their only refuge is to remain hidden. He confesses to feeling worthless after dedicating his life to serving his country—now the Taliban views him as a target.
Despite Taliban claims that all Afghans can return safely, a recent UN report highlights ongoing violence against key figures from the former regime, deepening fears among Afghan refugees. Families like Nabila’s have developed a network of support among neighbors, sharing resources and housing to evade detection.
Amidst these challenges, stories of hope shine through; Nabila dreams of becoming a model, a bittersweet aspiration in a society where educational rights for girls are stripped. Her mother, Maryam, recalls the heartache of losing friends who have been deported back to Afghanistan, further compounding the isolation and despair felt by many Afghan families.
In recent months, Pakistan’s deportation strategies have intensified as the nation grapples with security concerns—millitant attacks fueled by tensions with Afghanistan have led to blame being cast by the Pakistani government, complicating the already fraught refugee situation. With a looming deadline for undocumented immigrants to leave the country, families face impossible choices, wondering where they can find safety.
Ahmad, another Afghan awaiting resettlement, recently experienced a devastating encounter when police raided his community while his family was home alone, leaving his daughter terrified and seeking his help. Detentions like these have been described as inhumane, revealing the plight of families packed into holding areas with minimal provisions amid government assurances that all deportations will be conducted humanely.
With fears of repatriation driving a wedge between communities, some Afghans are attempting to flee to rural areas, while others feel they cannot afford such a risk. Running from the threat of deportation—as well as memories of a life before—has turned daily life into an endless cycle of anxiety. Families express deep sorrow at the loss of their homeland, reiterating, "If our country were safe, why would we come here?"
The resilience of these Afghan refugees is tested daily in Pakistan, caught between a history of friendship and rising hostility, unsure of where their next step will lead them.
