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KABUL (SW) – Zia-ul-Haq, 38, a resident of Gardez, the capital of Paktia province, says he immigrated to Iran irregularly due to unemployment and security problems.
At first, he had no idea how dangerous and deadly the path of irregular migration was going to be. Zia-ul-Haq said the human smugglers were moving up to 20 people in a pickup truck capable of carrying five passengers only.
"At first, we were assured of one proper seat each in the car, but they eventually brought 50 to 60 people and bundled them inside a mini-van," the young man said as he narrated the story of his irregular migration to Iran.
Zia-ul-Haq further said the smugglers eventually took them to Iran through Pakistan’s Karachi city after many dangerous and troubling days and nights without sufficient food or water. The unfortunate migrant said he was caught by the Iranian security forces in Kirman city and eventually tortured and deported back to Afghanistan.
Zia-ul-Haq said firstly it is difficult for Afghans to get a job in Iran, and even when they get the jobs, they hardly get half of the salary compared to local workers. He now wants all Afghans, particularly the youth, not to think about irregular migration.
Head of the department of refugees and repatriates in the province, Obaidullah Marhoni, said as many as 191 migrants have been deported back to Paktia alone this year.
Commenting on this, Ishaq Afghan, head of the International Organization of Migration in the southeastern zone, said residents of the rural areas in Paktia, Paktika, Ghazni are Khost are particularly falling prey to the human smugglers. He added information on risks associated with the irregular migration has been shared with those at risk of facing the problem.
According to IOM, at least 25 Paktia residents have been forcefully deported back from Iran in the past four months.
Based on the information, following Africa, the residents of Afghanistan, Pakistan and Bangladesh are among the top victims of irregular migration worldwide.
Say no to irregular migration!
ENDS
