Migration has always been driven by the hope for a better future, however, for many Afghan citizens who have been forced to leave their country for various reasons, this journey has turned into an endless nightmare.
The painful stories of Afghan migrants in Turkey, Iran, and Pakistan reflect the numerous challenges they face. From violence and discrimination to humiliation and injustice, the lives of Afghan migrants in these countries have become a real tragedy.
Nasir Dadras, an Afghan migrant in Turkey, speaks with sorrow about the difficult situation of Afghans. He emphasizes that Turkey’s policies toward Afghan migrants have only changed in the media, while in practice, they are accompanied by violence. According to him, Afghans are not only forced to work longer hours than other workers, but they are also more likely to be deprived of their rightful wages.
Dadras is concerned about the future of migration in Turkey, warning that conditions may worsen for migrants. “The situation has forced Afghan migrants to stay here. Turkey’s policies have only changed in the media, but their actions remain violent.”
On the other hand, the tales of Afghan migrants in Iran tell a story of deep bitterness and suffering. Bayanai, an Afghan migrant in Iran, speaks of the humiliation faced by Afghans in schools, recreational centers, and educational institutions. He describes these experiences as sorrowful and exhausting. “The story of Afghan migrants in Iran is one of pain, exhaustion, and bitterness. Children and other Afghan citizens are humiliated in educational, cultural, and recreational spaces.”
Najibullah Shujaie, another Afghan migrant in Iran, points to recent attacks by Iranian citizens on Afghan migrants. He states that these attacks have been accompanied by humiliation and degrading videos, which have spread on social media. Shujaie believes that Iran’s harsh policies toward Afghan migrants are an attempt to exert pressure on the Afghan de-facto government. “Last week, in the city of Qods, Iranian citizens attacked Afghan migrants, recorded degrading videos of them, and posted them on social media. Iranian citizens have become increasingly xenophobic toward migrants.”
Meraj, another Afghan migrant in Iran, also believes that conditions are becoming harder day by day. He mentions incidents where Afghan migrants were detained by the police and only released after paying bribes or using intermediaries. According to him, Iran’s economic policies are also contributing to the difficulties, as the government tries to create more job opportunities for Iranian citizens by expelling Afghan migrants.
“I think the economic situation in Iran is heading toward recession, and they want to provide more job opportunities for their citizens by expelling Afghan migrants,” he said.
The situation of Afghan migrants in Pakistan is equally grim, with migrants facing daily arrests and the threat of deportation. Shin Zar Samim, an Afghan migrant in Pakistan, describes the conditions as dire. He says that many families have no source of income, and the economic situation is worsening. According to him, this has led some migrants to consider returning to Afghanistan. “If this situation continues, things will become harder and darker, and many migrants may be forced to return to Afghanistan.”
Wahida Bayat, another Afghan migrant in Pakistan, emphasizes that the Pakistani government has changed its behavior for political reasons. She says Afghan migrants are living in very difficult conditions, lacking even basic necessities such as food, water, and shelter. However, she notes that Pakistani citizens treat Afghan migrants relatively well.
“The Pakistani government’s actions are driven by political motives, and they want to exploit international organizations and embassies. The people of Pakistan are kind and empathetic toward Afghan migrants,” she said.
Despite these harrowing narratives, migration experts offer different perspectives on the reasons behind and consequences of the Afghan migrant crisis. Saber Faqiri, a migration expert, believes that Pakistan is using the plight of Afghan migrants as a tool to apply pressure on the Afghan de-facto government. “Due to the political issues Pakistan has with the Afghan government, they are trying to use the migrant situation to exert pressure on the ruling regime in Afghanistan.”
Faiza Zirak, a migration expert and women’s rights activist, agrees: “Pakistan wants to control its internal policies by expelling Afghan migrants because many Pakistani citizens believe that the presence of Afghan migrants has negatively impacted the country’s economy. Secondly, they might use this policy as a diplomatic pressure tool against the Islamic Emirate.”
At the same time, Nazar Nazari, another migration expert, stresses the need for a joint committee among host countries, Afghanistan, and the United Nations. He believes such a committee could prevent the exploitation, extortion, and forced deportations of Afghan migrants while providing them with better conditions.
“The problems faced by Afghan migrants need to be addressed through diplomatic talks. The Afghan caretaker government and the United Nations should establish a tripartite committee with host countries to solve these issues and prevent exploitation, pressure, and forced deportations.”
Officials at the Ministry of Repatriations and Refugees (MoRR) remain hopeful that, with the cooperation of international organizations, they can improve conditions for migrants.
Abdul Baset Ansari, a media expert at the ministry, says, “We are monitoring the situation of Afghan migrants in neighboring countries, especially Pakistan. The Afghan ambassador in Islamabad has shared the migrants’ problems with senior officials of international organizations and emphasized the need for a solution. We hope the situation will improve in the coming days.”
Meanwhile, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) has stated that Afghanistan is facing one of the most complex humanitarian crises. According to the organization, more than 8 million Afghans live in neighboring countries, and many of them are enduring inhumane conditions.
