Afghans who made Pakistan home to escape war now hide from deportation

Burqa-clad Afghan women walk on a street with other in a a neighbourhood, where mostly Afghan populations, in Karachi, Pakistan, on January 26, 2024. (AP)
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Updated 29 April 2024
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Afghans who made Pakistan home to escape war now hide from deportation

  • Pakistan has forcibly deported some 600,000 undocumented Afghans since October 2023
  • Afghans in hiding find it difficult to earn money, rent accommodation or get medical help

KARACHI, Pakistan: Born and raised in Pakistan to parents who fled neighboring Afghanistan half a century ago, an 18-year-old found himself at the mercy of police in Karachi who took his cash, phone and motorbike, and sent him to a deportation center.

Scared and bewildered, he spent three days there before he was sent back to Afghanistan, a place he has never been to, with nothing but clothes on his back.

The youth is one of at least 1.7 million Afghans who made Pakistan their home as their country sank deeper into decades of war. But they’ve been living there without legal permission, and are now the target of a harsh crackdown on migrants who Pakistan says must leave.

Some 600,000 Afghans have returned home since last October, when the crackdown began, meaning at least a million remain in Pakistan in hiding. They’ve retreated from public view, abandoning their jobs and rarely leaving their neighborhoods out of fear they could be next for deportation.

It’s harder for them to earn money, rent accommodation, buy food or get medical help because they run the risk of getting caught by police or being reported to authorities by Pakistanis.

The youth, who had been working as a mechanic in an auto shop since he was 15, spoke on condition of anonymity for fear of arrest and deportation.

He has applied for the same documentation that his family has, but he won’t get it. Pakistan isn’t issuing paperwork for Afghan refugees or their children.

“My life is here. I have no friends or family in Afghanistan, nothing,” the young man told The Associated Press. “I wanted to come back (to Pakistan) sooner, but things had to calm down first,” he said, referring to the anti-migrant raids sweeping the country at the time.




 A police officer checks the document of a resident during a search operation against illegal immigrants at a neighborhood of Karachi, Pakistan, on November 3, 2023. (AP)

Taliban authorities gave him 2,500 afghanis ($34) once he entered Afghanistan to start a new life. They dispatched him to northeastern Takhar province, where he slept in mosques and religious schools because he knew nobody to stay with. He passed his time playing cricket and football, and borrowed other people’s phones to call his family.

Six weeks later, he traveled from Takhar to the Afghan capital, Kabul, then to eastern Nangarhar province. He walked for hours in the dark before meeting up with human smugglers hired by his brother in Pakistan. Their job was to get him to Peshawar, the capital of Pakistan’s northwest Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, for the price of $70.

He is relieved to be reunited with his family. But he is vulnerable.

Police have daubed numbers on homes in his neighborhood to show how many people live there and how many have documentation. Hundreds of Afghan families have fled the area since the operation began. There are fewer people to hide among.

Such neighborhoods in Karachi are easily home to tens of thousands of Afghans. But they have no drainage systems, health care or education facilities. There are few women on the streets, and those who venture out wear burqas, often the blue ones more commonly seen in Afghanistan.

Lawyer Moniza Kakar, who works extensively with the Afghan community in Karachi, said there are generations of families with no paperwork. Without it, they can’t access basic services like schools or hospitals.

Afghans were already under the radar before the crackdown, and rumors abound that Pakistan wants to expel all Afghans, even those with documentation. Pakistan says no such decision has been made.

In another Karachi neighborhood with a mostly Afghan population, people scatter when police arrive, disappearing into a maze of alleys. A network of informants spread news of the visits.

Kakar despairs at the plight of Afghans who remain in Pakistan. “Sometimes they don’t have food so we appeal to the UN to help them out,” she said. To earn money or get medical help, they would have previously traveled from such neighborhoods into the heart of Karachi, but they can’t afford these journeys anymore. They’re also likely to be arrested, she added.

Some show Kakar their ID cards from the time of Gen. Zia Ul-Haq, the military dictator whose rule of Pakistan coincided with the 1979 Soviet invasion of Afghanistan. “They wonder why they don’t have citizenship after 40 years. They don’t share their location. They don’t go out. They live in property rented in someone else’s name.”

There are children who were born in Pakistan who have grown up and have children of their own. “The children don’t have any identity paperwork. All of them have an undecided future,” said Kakar.

Syed Habib Ur Rehman works as a media coordinator at the Afghanistan Consulate General in Karachi. He spends a lot of time in these communities.

“There are empty homes, empty shops,” Rehman said. “Markets are empty. The Pakistanis we know don’t agree with what is happening. They say they have spent a good life with us. Their business has gone down because so many Afghan families have left.”

The Afghans interviewed by the AP had different reasons for never securing their status. Some said they were overseas working. Others didn’t have time. Nobody thought Pakistan would ever throw them out.

Mohammad Khan Mughal, 32, was born in Karachi and has three children. Before the crackdown started, the Afghan ran a tandoor business. Police told him to close down.

“My customers started complaining because they couldn’t buy bread from me,” he said. He and his family went to the southwestern city of Quetta in Baluchistan province to escape the raids.

He returned to Karachi a few days later, and has no intention of leaving.

“This is my home,” he said, with pride and sadness. “This is my city.”


Pakistan becomes first country to implement global initiative for digital foreign investment — PM

Updated 18 January 2025
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Pakistan becomes first country to implement global initiative for digital foreign investment — PM

  • The initiative, a collaboration of World Economic Forum and Digital Cooperation Organization, aims to target emerging markets
  • Pakistan focused on four pillars as part of the initiative: digital infrastructure, adoption, new activities and services exports

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Saturday reaffirmed his commitment to cultivating a thriving digital investment ecosystem as Pakistan became the first country to implement a global initiative to drive digital foreign direct investment.
The Digital Foreign Direct Investment Initiative, a collaboration of the World Economic Forum (WEF) and the Digital Cooperation Organization (DCO), was launched in 2022 to enhance cross-border digital investment, particularly in emerging markets.
Pakistan was the first country to volunteer to implement the initiative, marking the beginning of the Digital FDI-Enabling Project (DEP) in 2022. The project is structured around four pillars: digital infrastructure, digital adoption, new digital activities and digital services exports.
In its report issued on Friday, the WEF outlined targeted actions taken by the DEP team in critical areas for growth, carefully tailored to Pakistan’s socioeconomic conditions, regulatory framework and evolving digital landscape.
“From expanding revenues to increasing workforce and global exports, Pakistan is scaling new heights in its stride for digital transformation,” PM Sharif said on X, adding that he was “proud” to witness Pakistan as the first country to implement the initiative.
“We reaffirm our unwavering commitment to cultivating a thriving digital investment ecosystem, paving the way for #DigitalProsperity4All.”
In its report, the WEF noted that a consultative and data-gathering process identified 55 policy options as possible recommendations for addressing gaps in Pakistan’s digital ecosystem and attracting more digital FDI.
These insights were consolidated in a Findings Note that was reviewed by government partners and key industry stakeholders and presented to participants at a consultative workshop. The policy options were collectively prioritized to establish priority actions, according to the report.
Throughout the project, key stakeholders across each category were actively engaged through a series of consultations, follow-up meetings and a dedicated stakeholder workshop. This comprehensive engagement provided invaluable insights into Pakistan’s digital landscape and investment ecosystem to inform the project’s direction and outcomes.
“Pakistan is striving to boost digital foreign direct investment in the country by promoting a ‘digital-friendly’ investment climate,” the report read.
Last year, Pakistan’s State Minister for Information Technology (IT) Shaza Fatima Khawaja said the South Asian country planned to establish a National Digital Commission to ensure digitization of its economy and governance.
The commission will not only improve governance and tax collection efficiency, but it will also make the inter-ministerial coordination smooth, according to Khawaja.
Pakistan, faced with an economic meltdown in recent years, has made rigorous efforts to introduce structural reforms to revive its $350 billion economy.
Khawaja said paperless governance was “vital” to speed up the government operations and the commission would help remove procedural bottlenecks.
Pakistan is part of the 16-member DCO, the world’s first standalone international intergovernmental organization, which focuses on the acceleration of growth of an inclusive and sustainable digital economy.
Other members of the multilateral organization, founded in November 2020, include Bahrain, Bangladesh, Cyprus, Djibouti, Gambia, Ghana, the Hellenic Republic (Greece), Jordan, Kuwait, Morocco, Nigeria, Oman, Pakistan, Qatar, Rwanda and Saudi Arabia, collectively representing nearly $3.5 trillion in GDP and a market of nearly 800 million people, more than 70 percent of whom are under the age of 35.


Noman and Sajid give Pakistan lead in spin-dominated first Test

Updated 23 min 27 sec ago
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Noman and Sajid give Pakistan lead in spin-dominated first Test

  • Noman grabbed 5-39 for his seventh five-wicket haul in Tests, Sajid finished with 4-65
  • Pakistan earlier lost their last six wickets for 43 runs after resuming the day at 143-4

MULTAN: Spin pair Noman Ali and Sajid Khan shared nine wickets between them to give Pakistan a 93-run lead on the second day of the opening Test against West Indies in Multan on Saturday.
Noman grabbed 5-39 for his seventh five-wicket haul in Tests, while Sajid finished with 4-65 to dismiss the West Indies for 137 after lunch in a first innings that lasted just 25.2 overs.
Pakistan earlier lost their last six wickets for 43 runs after resuming at 143-4 and were bowled out for 230 in their first innings.
The dry and grassless Multan pitch has already produced 20 wickets in five sessions even though two-and-a-half hours were lost on day one, and another 30 minutes on Saturday, because of poor visibility.
Noman and Sajid, who shared 39 of the 40 wickets in the last two Tests against England in Pakistan’s 2-1 series win last year, were once again unplayable.

Sajid opened the bowling and removed Mikyle Louis (one), Keacy Carty (0), Kraigg Brathwaite (11) and Kavem Hodge (four) in his first three overs.

Pakistan’s Said Khan (center) celebrates with teammates after taking the wicket of West Indies Mikyle Louis during the day two of the first Test cricket match between Pakistan and West Indies, in Multan on January 18, 2025. (AP)

Noman then further jolted the tourists with another four wickets to leave them on 66-8.
The tail-enders showed more resistance, with number 10 batsman Jomel Warrican unbeaten on 31, with Gudakesh Motie adding 19 and Jayden Seales the last wicket to fall for 22.
Seales hit three sixes before holing out off spinner Abrar Ahmed.
Warrican also took 3-69 in Pakistan’s innings.

West Indies Jomel Warrican (third left) celebrates with teammates after taking the wicket of Salman Ali Agha during the second day of the first Test match against Pakistan in Multan, Pakistan, on January 18, 2025. (PCB)

Saud Shakeel top-scored for Pakistan with 84 off 157 deliveries, including six boundaries, while keeper Mohammad Rizwan added 71.
Shakeel added an invaluable 141 for the fifth wicket with Rizwan, lifting Pakistan from a precarious 46-4 on day one.
Kevin Sinclair sparked the Pakistan batting collapse by taking Shakeel’s wicket with the first ball after drinks.

Pakistan’s Saud Shakeel, center, plays a shot during the day two of the first test cricket match between Pakistan and West Indies, in Multan on January 18, 2025. (AP)

He then trapped Rizwan leg-before off a missed reverse sweep, the original decision of not out overturned on review.
Rizwan’s 133-ball stay included nine boundaries.
Sajid hit a boundary and a six in a rapid-fire 18 before he was bowled by Warrican on the stroke of lunch to end Pakistan’s innings.


PM calls for robust cargo scanning system to improve Pakistan’s prospects as regional trade hub

Updated 18 January 2025
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PM calls for robust cargo scanning system to improve Pakistan’s prospects as regional trade hub

  • The development comes amid Pakistan’s efforts to position itself as a regional trade and transit hub by leveraging its strategic geopolitical position
  • This week, UAE’s DP World and Pakistan’s National Logistics Corporation launched a feeder service to transport shipping containers from Dubai to Karachi

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has directed officials to establish a world-class cargo scanning system in the commercial hub of Karachi and other major trade centers in Pakistan to improve the country’s prospects as a regional trade and transit hub, Pakistani state media reported on Friday.
Sharif issued the directives at a meeting to review transit cargo and tracking system in the federal capital of Islamabad, the Radio Pakistan broadcaster reported.
The development comes amid Pakistan’s efforts to position itself as a regional trade and transit hub by leveraging its strategic geopolitical position.
Sharif instructed officials to ensure the implementation of modern technology and abolish the obsolete system of tracking, tracing and scanning cargo.
“Pakistan will become a hub of transit trade for other regional countries due to its integrated communication system and better tracking of cargo,” he was quoted as saying by Radio Pakistan.
Pakistan, faced with a prolonged economic meltdown, has witnessed a flurry of visits, investment talks and economic activity involving officials from Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, China and Central Asian nations in recent months.
This week, Emirati multinational logistics company DP World, in collaboration with Pakistan’s National Logistics Corporation (NLC), launched a feeder service to transport shipping containers from Dubai to Karachi, Pakistani state media reported.
The weekly service promises faster and more reliable container delivery, directly benefiting the business community and boosting economic activity in the region.
Sharif said there had been a significant decrease in smuggling due to Pakistan’s efforts to improve cargo tracking system.
“Due to curtailing smuggling, sugar worth 211 million dollars was exported to Afghanistan this [fiscal] year,” he was quoted as saying.
The prime minister also directed officials to ensure third-party validation of cargo tracking service providers.


Pakistan demands Israel withdraw from Lebanon, Syrian buffer zone and allow UN peacekeepers to operate

Updated 18 January 2025
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Pakistan demands Israel withdraw from Lebanon, Syrian buffer zone and allow UN peacekeepers to operate

  • The remarks by Pakistan’s representative to the United Nations followed a briefing by two senior UN peacekeeping officials
  • Ambassador Munir Akram says no force except United Nations Disengagement Observer Force should have a presence in the region

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has called on Israel to withdraw from Lebanese and Syrian territories, including Golan Heights, and allow United Nations (UN) peacekeepers to freely operate in the region to ensure compliance with international agreements, Pakistani state media reported on Saturday, citing Islamabad’s UN envoy.
The remarks by Pakistan’s permanent representative, Ambassador Munir Akram, followed a briefing by two senior UN peacekeeping officials on recent developments in Lebanon and Syria, and the challenges facing “blue helmets” there.
Speaking at the UN Security Council, Ambassador Akram voiced “deep concern” over the increasing threats faced by peacekeepers from the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) and the United Nations Truce Supervision Organization (UNTSO).
The Pakistani envoy strongly condemned ongoing Israeli “aggression” in Syrian territories and the illegal incursion of Israeli military forces in the separation areas established under the 1974 Disengagement Agreement between Israel and Syria.
“That agreement remains binding and must be upheld without exception,” Ambassador Akram was quoted as saying by Pakistan’s APP news agency,
“Any unilateral actions that undermine this agreement are unacceptable,” Akram said, that no force except the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) should have a military presence in the territory.
Similarly, Ambasador Akram said, Pakistan recognized the essential role of UNIFIL in maintaining stability in southern Lebanon under the Security Council resolution 1,701.
The Pakistani envoy welcomed a November 26 ceasefire agreement between Lebanon and Israel, but voiced alarm over continuing violations of the arrangement by Israeli forces, including airspace violations, airstrikes and restrictions on UNIFIL’s movement.
“Israel must adhere to the 60-day timeline stipulated in the arrangement and complete its withdrawal from southern Lebanon,” he said, urging that any security concerns must be reported to appropriate mechanisms, including UNIFIL, instead of resorting to unilateral violations.
“The unrestricted freedom of movement of UNIFIL and full deployment of the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) are crucial to achieving the security and stability [of Lebanon].’
The Security Council was briefed by UN Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations Jean-Pierre Lacroix and Maj. Gen. Patrick Gauchat, head of the United Nations Truce Supervision Organization (UNTSO) who is temporarily in charge of the UN force in the Golan, UNDOF. Lacroix is currently in Lebanon, where the UNIFIL monitors the Blue Line border of separation with Israel. He is accompanying UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and the officials visited the mission’s area of operations on Friday.
The Pakistani envoy urged the Security Council to ensure complete implementation of the mandates of both UNDOF and UNIFIL, saying they must be equipped with adequate resources and modern technologies to enhance their operational efficiency.
“Those who attack UN peacekeepers must be held accountable,” he added.
Ambassador Akram also hoped that the Gaza ceasefire “is real and it will be the first step toward a comprehensive solution, including two-state solution and establishment of an independent and sovereign Palestinian state.”
Pakistan does not recognize nor have diplomatic relations with Israel and calls for an independent Palestinian state based on “internationally agreed parameters.”
The South Asian country has so far dispatched several relief consignments for Gaza and Lebanon, besides establishing the ‘Prime Minister’s Relief Fund for Gaza and Lebanon’ that aims to collect public donations for the war-affected people.


Authorities announce establishment of shelters ahead of possible operation in restive Pakistani district

Updated 18 January 2025
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Authorities announce establishment of shelters ahead of possible operation in restive Pakistani district

  • The announcement came a day after militants attacked a supply convoy in Kurram, killing 10 people and kidnapping five others
  • Tribal and sectarian clashes since Nov. 21 have killed at least 136 people in Kurram and caused shortages of medicine, food and fuel

ISLAMABAD: Authorities in Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) province on Friday announced the establishment of camps for temporary displaced persons (TDPs) ahead of a possible operation in the restive Kurram district, which has been hit by deadly clashes in the last two months.
The announcement of the establishment of TDP camps came a day after militants ambushed a convoy bringing supplies to the region, killing 10 people, while there were reports of the kidnapping of another five drivers.
Kurram, a northwestern district of around 600,000 people in KP, has been rocked by tribal and sectarian clashes since November 21, when armed men attacked a convoy of Shia passengers, killing 52 people.
The attack sparked further violence and blockade of a main road connecting Kurram’s main town of Parachinar with the provincial capital of Peshawar, causing medicine, food and fuel shortages in the area, as casualties surged to 136.
“It is stated that LEAs [law enforcement agencies] is planning an operation in various areas of Lower Kurram... to counter terrorism,” the Kurram deputy commissioner’s office said in a notification on Friday.
“In order to ensure safety and support of the affected population during the expected operation, the following sites are proposed for establishment of camps for the TDPs of District Kurram,” it said, naming Government Boys Degree College, Government Technical College, Rescue 1122 Compound and Judicial Building in Tal area as the potential sites.
Feuding tribes have battled with machine guns and heavy weapons in Kurram, cutting off the remote and mountainous region bordering Afghanistan from the outside world.
Thursday’s ambush targeted a convoy of 33 vehicles set to resupply local traders in the region with rice, flour and cooking oil and two aid vehicles carrying essential medicine. It followed a similar attack on a supply convoy this month that injured five people, including a top administration official in the region.
The violence has continued despite a peace agreement signed between the warring tribes on Jan. 1. Under the peace agreement, both sides had agreed on the demolition of bunkers and the handover of heavy weapons to authorities within two weeks.
Since late last month, provincial authorities have been supplying relief goods and transporting ailing and injured people from Kurram to Peshawar via helicopters.