Some of them have just made their way from Afghanistan. They had to brave violence and risk being turned away or arrested at security checkpoints as they fled a country in the throes of transition.
This is the second time they become refugees. Some, who have refugee ID cards issued by the Pakistani government, know they will have certain rights and protections guaranteed in their host country. Mohammed Azeem is an ethnic Tajik who worked in a bakery while pursuing an engineering degree in Kabul. Azeem fled Kabul province after two of his friends were brutally killed by the Taliban just over two weeks ago.
They were together when the Taliban fighters rounded them up. The panic on his face creeps into his voice as he recalls that day. He looks around to see who can hear him. His voice breaks, but he continues. At Spin Boldak, Pakistani border control guards initially refused him entry because he had neither the ID card nor refugee paperwork. My life is in danger, the Taliban are following me. But now finds himself destitute, in a strange country where he does not speak the language and cannot see a way forward.
I want to learn and I want to do something. Shamayl travelled with her husband and daughter for four days, initially by bus then on foot, to reach Karachi. The tall year-old mother of two is gaunt, her features drawn and eyes red-rimmed from the stress of the last few weeks. Many were wounded. She is My wish is to go to Canada or Turkey.
My daughter is studying, I want her to continue studying. I want her to better her life. Her husband, who worked in a roadside kebab diner, was badly beaten by the Taliban. They broke both his knees. And everything is expensive here. Generations of Afghans have made their home in Pakistan, but their experience shows there is no guarantee that life will improve for refugees who flee over the border.
Many critics feel that Pakistan has historically extended a munificent hand by hosting waves of refugees since the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan, only to be greeted with refugees who they claim are linked to criminality or terrorism. Pakistan is not alone in worrying about a flood of migration from Afghanistan. European officials have voiced concerns about the prospect of refugees traveling to the European Union.
And neighboring countries like Uzbekistan are limiting the number of refugees allowed in. However, some human rights experts say that crowding refugees in temporary border camps runs the risk of creating a public health crisis in a country where COVID cases are still high. However, the Pakistan-Afghan border has never been easy to seal, with ethnic Pashtuns split between Afghanistan and Pakistan regularly traveling to Pakistan for education, medical care or family visits.
For refugees like Nasir, the restoration of Taliban rule has changed his ability to be with his family still living in Afghanistan, introducing a new sense of uncertainty. However, scenes of chaos at Kabul airport on Monday offered little solace for refugees. The Taliban takeover presents a tricky balancing act for Pakistan. President Joe Biden on Friday announced that the U. Biden also said it was up to the people and the leadership of Afghanistan to decide their future.
The Taliban have intensified violence in Afghanistan in the last few months, especially since the start of the withdrawal of foreign forces two months ago. Ayesha Tanzeem contributed to the report. Search Search. Home United States U. Latest show. VOA Africa Listen live. VOA Newscasts Latest program.
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