By: Nasratullah Tahirzai :
Nangarhar, Afghanistan
More than 12,500 Afghan families, comprising nearly 88,000 individuals, have returned to Afghanistan from Pakistan via the Torkham border over the past three months, according to officials in Nangarhar province.
Authorities say these returnees have received 112 million Afghanis in cash assistance distributed by both the Islamic Emirate and humanitarian organizations.
However, many recent returnees are now calling on the government for permanent employment opportunities and shelter.
“Our life savings are left behind in Pakistan”
Mohammaduddin, a 47-year-old resident of Kooz Kunar in Nangarhar, returned after nearly 30 years of living in Punjab, Pakistan.
“We were sitting in our home when police came and told us we had to leave. We packed our belongings and crossed into Afghanistan via Torkham the very next day,” he said.
Shamsul Haq, another returnee, said all of his family’s assets were left behind in Pakistan.
“We have nothing here—not even enough for a single meal. We urge the Islamic Emirate to coordinate with Pakistan for the transfer of our possessions,” he appealed.
“No home, no job”
Returnees are concerned about the lack of housing and job opportunities in Afghanistan.
Sherzaman, who recently returned, said:
“We don’t own any home or land. There is no work or income source here. We ask the government and aid agencies to help us with permanent solutions.”
Official Response
According to Baz Mohammad Abdul Rahman, Director of Refugees and Repatriation in Nangarhar, over 12,500 families have returned since the start of Pakistan’s second phase of forced deportation.
He added that 945 more families were deported after being detained, and were also provided with cash support from the Islamic Emirate and NGOs.
Meanwhile, Pakistan’s government has reportedly finalized plans to expel over 1.4 million Afghan refugees holding Proof of Registration (PoR) cards, after the June 2025 deadline expired.
