On Friday, the Ministry of Refugees and Repatriation of Afghanistan said that more than 120 Afghan migrants have been released from Pakistani prisons, and efforts are underway to release the remaining detainees.
The ministry stated that 172 Afghan refugees have been released from Pakistani prisons in the past four days and returned to Afghanistan on Tuesday and Wednesday.
The statement also said that the Spin Boldak border officials in Kandahar province said that the released individuals were detained for some time due to a lack of legal documents.
After their release, they returned to Afghanistan through the Spin Boldak border, intending to seek assistance from the International Organization for Migration (IOM).
Detentions and pressures on Afghan migrants are increasing, while some time ago, Sarfaraz Ahmad Bugti, the Interior Minister of Pakistan, said in a press conference that “Islamabad has decided to take strict measures against illegal migrants in various cities of Pakistan.”
Amid these challenging circumstances, many Afghan refugees have been compelled to return to their homeland from neighbouring countries, particularly Pakistan and Iran.
This repatriation is primarily driven by these refugees’ harsh realities, including a scarcity of job opportunities and employment prospects.
The absence of viable means to sustain themselves and their families, coupled with the constant fear of detention, harassment, and mistreatment by local authorities, has forced many to make the difficult decision to return to Afghanistan.
Despite the hopes and aspirations that led them to seek refuge across the borders, the grim conditions they encountered in host countries have driven them to return home in search of a more stable and dignified existence.
This complex and profoundly troubling situation underscores the urgent need for international cooperation and humanitarian efforts to address the root causes of displacement and support those who remain in exile and those who choose to return to Afghanistan.
