Several of young Afghans living with their families in Pakistan say that with the increase in arrests and forced deportations of Afghan migrants by Pakistani police, their daily lives have been faced with serious challenges. Salam Watandar’s interviews with 10 young Afghan migrants in Pakistan and 10 youths who were recently deported from the country, found that fear of arrest, the non-extension of visas, and restricted access to basic services are among their main problems in Pakistan. If they return to Afghanistan, unemployment becomes another major challenge.
The Afghan migrant youths interviewed in this report all have migration cases in European and American countries and are waiting for relocation. However, they say that after the halt of visa extensions for Afghan citizens in Pakistan, they have been constantly living in fear of arrest and deportation. According to them, following increased tensions between the governments of the two countries, conditions have become much tighter, and even their access to basic necessities of life has become increasingly difficult.
Arash, 33-year-old, who has been living with his family in Pakistan for the past two years while his migration case is being processed at several embassies, says that life for migrants in the country is becoming increasingly difficult. He explains,
“Every day dozens of Afghan citizens are deported from Pakistan in different ways. We try to stay out of the sight of Pakistani police, go outside less often, and rent houses in areas where police presence is lower. Unemployment and the lack of facilities and opportunities are among the challenges we face.”
Aliya, 27-year-old, who has been living with her family in Pakistan for the past two years while her migration case is being processed, says migrants face constant fear and pressure. She says,
“We came to Pakistan only because of our migration cases. We have caused no harm to the people here, yet every day we face the pressure of deportation. We cannot even leave the house for basic necessities; we cannot even go to a doctor. The fear of deportation haunts me every moment.”
In addition to fear of arrest and forced deportation to Afghanistan, these migrants have in recent months faced severe economic pressure, the non-extension of visas, homelessness, and limited access to healthcare services. Ali Zaa, who has lived with his family in Pakistan for three years, says,
“I face many problems, including not having a visa and financial difficulties. There is no work; all Afghans living in Pakistan are unemployed. Furthermore, the Pakistani government has reportedly told landlords not to rent houses to Afghans.”
Young Afghan migrants in Pakistan say the current conditions have caused them serious psychological distress. Jamila, 26-year-old, who has lived with her family in Pakistan for three years, says: “I cannot even sleep because of the fear of deportation. Economic problems, unemployment—every kind of fear is inside me. We were warned to hide ourselves; otherwise nothing can be done for us. The situation for refugees is extremely difficult.”
The Pakistani government began deporting Afghan migrants in 2023, and in 2025 the process intensified significantly. According to United Nations statistics, in 2025 alone more than 870,000 Afghan migrants, including holders of Citizen Cards and undocumented individuals, were returned to Afghanistan. This process has intensified alongside rising tensions between the Islamic Emirate and the Pakistani government. Pakistani media have also reported that just last Sunday hundreds of Afghans were arrested in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa state and sent to Afghanistan.
Nawidullah, 28-year-old, one of the Afghan migrants in Pakistan, says regarding the increased pressure, “The situation has become very serious in the past few days. The pressure has been extremely high recently. Operations have begun very seriously everywhere, and wherever Afghans are seen, they are arrested.”
The report also includes interviews with 10 youths who recently returned to Afghanistan from Pakistan. They say that during deportation they faced mistreatment by Pakistani police and were returned without any facilities. Now, after returning to the country, they struggle with severe economic pressure, lack of basic living necessities, absence of shelter, poverty, and unemployment.
Saif-ur-Rahman, 34-year-old from Panjshir, who was recently forcibly deported from Pakistan with his family, says: “Pakistani security forces treated us very badly. They insulted and humiliated us and did not even allow us to take our mattresses and blankets. It was around two or three o’clock at night when they expelled us from our home. Very little assistance is provided; we have nowhere to live and no work.”
Atiqullah, 35-year-old from Logar, who was also recently forcibly deported with his family, says: “I have just returned from Pakistan along with many other migrants who were deported. The government here helped us, but these aids are not sufficient. We need permanent assistance. Housing should be provided and job opportunities created for us.”
The youths returning from Pakistan say that although they have received some assistance from the Islamic Emirate, it is insufficient. They call for serious attention and urgent action from global institutions and international organizations to address their problems.
Nooria, 28-year-old from Badakhshan, who was deported three months ago with her family, says: “We have access to nothing—neither healthcare services nor a proper life. Our economic situation is poor, and our mental condition is also bad. Our request from the government is to support and accept the migrants.”
Some migration experts say the government can prevent the worsening of this problem by adopting appropriate approaches. Abdul Hamid Jalili, a migration expert, says,
“Whenever tensions between Afghanistan and Pakistan increase, migrants become targets. This is used to pressure the Afghan government and gain privileges in negotiations. International institutions therefore have a major responsibility. Organizations responsible for migrants and human rights should talk with the Pakistani government and try to create facilities for migrants.”
Abdul Basit Ansari, another migration expert, says: “First, the government should prevent illegal migration, raise public awareness, and create job opportunities for our people. If employment opportunities within the country are provided more seriously, and international organizations take effective steps in cooperation with the responsible institutions, the situation can improve.”
Officials at the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) offices in Afghanistan and Pakistan told Salam Watandar that in the first two months of 2026, more than 59,000 migrants returned from Pakistan.
Qaiser Khan Afridi, press officer of UNHCR in Pakistan, says, “From the beginning of 2026 until February 28, approximately 59,954 people returned, of whom 13,215 were deported. Given the current tensions between neighboring countries, we are witnessing an increase in arrests and widespread detention of Afghans. The UNHCR office continues to request that the Pakistani government take measures to exempt Afghans who still require international protection from forced return, and to grant legal residence to Afghans who have medical needs, are pursuing higher education, or are in intermarriages.”
Faramarz Barzin, press officer of UNHCR in Afghanistan, says: “From January 2026 to the end of February, more than 269,000 people returned to Afghanistan from Iran and Pakistan. UNHCR provides case-based cash assistance at border points, with the amount depending on the number of family members. Within its reintegration programs, the agency also supports returnees in building permanent shelters, establishing small businesses, and receiving technical and vocational training.”
Meanwhile, officials from the Ministry of Refugees and Repatriation of the Islamic Emirate report that more than 590 families were forcibly deported following military clashes between the two countries and say services are being provided for returnees. Abdul Mutalib Haqqani, spokesperson for the ministry, told Salam Watandar,
“After the ‘Radd al- Zulm’ operation by the forces of the Islamic Emirate against Pakistan’s military regime, the Torkham crossing was closed. Through the Spin Boldak crossing alone, during the past 11 days, 594 families—comprising 3,291 individuals—returned to the country. They were registered, received cash assistance and basic health services, and transportation was arranged so they could return to their areas with dignity.”
We wanted to obtain the views of officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Emirate regarding diplomatic efforts to improve the situation of Afghan migrants in Pakistan and prevent large-scale deportations; in spite of repeated calls, we did not succeed.
According to United Nations statistics, since 2023 more than five million Afghan migrants have returned to Afghanistan from neighboring countries. According to the Afghanistan Analysts Network, this has not only intensified the country’s humanitarian crisis and economic instability but has also increased rental and housing prices, placing many low-income families at risk of homelessness and lack of shelter.
Reporter: Soodaba Haidari
