| Submit your comments on this article |
| Afghanistan |
| Up to 150 Afghan Refugee Families Return via Torkham Daily, drop from 500-700 in spring |
| 2026-09-15 |
| [ToloNews] Officials at the Omari Temporary Camp in Torkham say that between 100 and 150 Afghan refugee families are currently returning to Afghanistan from Pakistan through the Torkham crossing each day. According to camp officials, around four months ago, between 500 and 700 families were returning through Torkham daily. The number later dropped to between 300 and 400 families and has now declined further to between 100 and 150 families per day. Mohammad Hashim Maiwandwal, an official at the Omari Temporary Camp in Torkham, says the level of pressure on Afghan refugees in Pakistan directly affects the number of returnees. Maiwandwal said: “Around four months ago, between 500 and 700 refugee families were returning to Afghanistan through Torkham every day. The number later dropped to between 300 and 400 families, and now between 100 and 150 families return daily. Pakistan itself is the reason for the decline in the number of returnees. When the government increases pressure on Afghan refugees, the number of returnees rises, and when restrictions are eased, the number declines.” Several recently returned refugees say they faced arrests, police raids and restrictions on employment in Pakistan, particularly in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Zabihullah, a recent returnee, said: “The situation for Afghan refugees in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has become very difficult these days. People are staying inside their homes for fear of being arrested by Pakistani police, and no one can go outside.” Khushal, another returnee, voiced similar concerns: “Pakistani police conduct raids in markets, prevent people from doing business and working in shops, and even raid people’s homes.” Saifullah said these difficulties eventually prompted him to return to Afghanistan with his family. He said: “We faced many hardships in Pakistan. Police would raid homes and arrest people in markets, and they would not allow people to work. Eventually, we packed our belongings and returned to our homeland. Now we are very happy to be back in our country.” However, returning to Afghanistan has not brought an end to the challenges facing these families. Some returnees are calling for shelter, employment and basic living facilities. Bakhtiar, who recently returned from Pakistan, said: “We ask the Islamic Emirate to provide us with housing and permanent employment so that we can stand on our own feet. We do not have any land for a home, so land should be provided for us to live on.” Officials at the Omari Temporary Camp in Torkham say various committees provide returnee families with basic services and necessary assistance before they are transferred to their respective provinces. According to the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC), nearly six million Afghans have returned to Afghanistan from Iran and Pakistan over the past three years. Although families returning after years of displacement hope to start a new life in their homeland, the lack of shelter, permanent employment and economic stability remains among the major challenges facing many returnees. |
| Posted by:trailing wife |