At the border between Pakistan and Afghanistan, a wave of returnees is creating a challenging scene. Men and women are crossing through separate gates, watched closely by armed guards from both countries. Many of those returning are elderly, with some needing to be carried on stretchers or in beds.
Military trucks are transporting families from the border to temporary shelters. Those who come from far-off provinces often have to wait several days for rides back to their home areas. Under the hot sun, families gather under makeshift tents to escape the 30°C heat, while dust swirls around them, making it hard to breathe. Resources at these shelters are limited, leading to heated arguments over access to basic needs.
Returnees receive financial assistance from the Afghan government, ranging from 4,000 to 10,000 Afghanis, which is about £41 to £104. This support is crucial, especially as Afghanistan’s infrastructure struggles to cope with the influx of people. With an economy in turmoil and a population nearing 45 million, the situation is tense. Bakht Jamal Gohar, who oversees refugee affairs for the Taliban at the border, acknowledged the challenges posed by the large number of returnees. Many left Afghanistan decades ago and abandoned their belongings, with some homes destroyed in the years of conflict.
Most families reported that Pakistani border guards limited what they could bring with them, a concern echoed by human rights organizations. However, Pakistani officials, like Chaudhry, insist there is no policy preventing Afghan refugees from taking their household items.
One father, sitting on the roadside in the heat, shared that his children had begged to stay in Pakistan, where they were born. They had temporary residency, but it expired in March. He expressed deep disappointment, saying, "Now we’ll never go back. Not after how we were treated."
The situation at the border highlights the ongoing struggles of those returning to Afghanistan and the difficulties faced by both the returnees and the authorities trying to assist them.