The crackdown on Afghan migrants in Pakistan has left many in a state of fear and uncertainty. With at least 1.7 million Afghans living in Pakistan without legal permission, they have become the target of a harsh deportation campaign. Many have already returned to Afghanistan, while others remain in hiding, afraid of being caught and deported. This has led to a significant impact on their ability to work, access basic services, and even move freely in their neighborhoods.
Despite being born and raised in Pakistan, many Afghan children are unable to secure legal documentation due to the government’s refusal to issue paperwork for Afghan refugees or their children. This lack of documentation has made it difficult for them to access essential services such as education and healthcare. The crackdown on Afghan migrants has forced many families to live in fear, with rumors circulating that Pakistan wants to expel all Afghans, even those with documentation.
The situation has prompted many Afghans to retreat from public view, abandoning their jobs and limiting their movements to avoid detection by authorities. In some neighborhoods in Karachi with a significant Afghan population, police have marked homes to indicate the number of occupants and their documentation status. This has caused many Afghan families to flee the area, leaving fewer places for others to hide. Without proper documentation, Afghans face challenges in earning money, accessing healthcare, and providing for their families.
The plight of Afghan migrants in Pakistan has raised concerns among activists and human rights workers, who are urging the UN to intervene and provide assistance to those in need. Many Afghan families are struggling to survive without access to basic necessities and are unable to travel outside their neighborhoods due to fear of being arrested. The uncertainty surrounding their status in Pakistan has left them with an uncertain future, especially for children born in Pakistan who have no identity paperwork.
Despite the hardships they face, some Afghan migrants, like Mohammad Khan Mughal, remain determined to stay in Pakistan, viewing it as their home. Mughal, who was born in Karachi and ran a tandoor business before the crackdown, refuses to leave his city despite the challenges he faces. While some Afghans have chosen to return to Afghanistan, others are choosing to stay and fight for their right to remain in Pakistan. With the crackdown ongoing, the future remains uncertain for many Afghan migrants in Pakistan.
