Recently Returned Migrants from Pakistan Seek Ramadan Aid in Kabul Camp

A number of Afghan migrants recently deported from Pakistan have gathered at a migrant camp on the outskirts of Kabul on the first day of Ramadan, criticizing their expulsion during the holy month and calling for more assistance with food and shelter.

Walijan, who returned with his three children after his family fled to Pakistan 45 years ago, told a ToloNews reporter that camp hosts provided proper hospitality, waking them for the pre-dawn meal and bringing food.

Other returnees expressed concerns over lacking shelter and the means to afford food for Sehri and Iftar. Tasil Khan said: "Ramadan has come, we are worried how to spend Ramadan? We have nothing, someone help us."

Dostgir recounted pleading with Pakistani authorities to let them stay and fast there, but said: "They didn't let us, they demolished our houses, we were forced."

The returnees appealed to the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan as well as the country's merchants and investors for help in providing shelter and food supplies during Ramadan. Wakil, another recent returnee, stated: "The Islamic Emirate is not the only one responsible to help quickly. Our request from traders and investors is that it's the holy month, first time we came to homeland, we have no job, for one month, two months until we find work, they cooperate with us."

The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan has previously urged host countries to halt forced deportations of Afghan migrants.