Afghan Migrants in Pakistan Face Dire Conditions Amid Torkham Border Closure

Afghan migrants in Pakistan are confronting severe economic and psychological pressures, including inability to meet basic needs, school closures for children, widespread arrests, work bans and refusals to rent housing.

Gul Mohammad, an Afghan migrant in Pakistan, said migrants are in a very difficult situation. "Some of them have spent the days of Ramadan in unsuitable conditions in prisons," he told Tolo News. "Many migrants have gone near Torkham and are waiting for the road to open to return to the country. Schools are closed to Afghan children and even many migrants do not have the ability to pay the cost of returning to the homeland."

Allahmir Miakhil, another Afghan migrant, said hundreds have packed their belongings and headed toward Torkham, waiting for the border to reopen. "Thousands of Afghans are in Pakistani prisons," he said. "We ask both sides to open the Torkham crossing so we can return to the homeland from this difficult situation."

Shahin, a further migrant, said some Afghans engage in trades such as fresh fruit sales but face severe mental pressures. He urged either opening the Torkham crossing or attention from migrant support organizations to protect their rights.

The closure of the Torkham border crossing has complicated the return process, leaving hundreds of families in anticipation and uncertainty. In recent months, pressures on Afghan migrants have intensified due to heightened tensions between Kabul and Islamabad.