Many of the Afghan nationals who are now being forced to leave Pakistan have not been to their former homeland for decades, including 63-year-old Torjan. He fled Afghanistan when the Soviets invaded in 1979. Now he has packed up his clothes and pots to return, writes the New York Times.
- I tried my best to build a life during these 40 years. It's tough. Now I'm starting from scratch again.
On the other side of the border, 15-year-old Sapna sits at a transit center. Like many other young people, she was born in Pakistan to Afghan parents, and is now setting foot in Afghanistan for the first time.
At first it felt like an adventure. On the way there, she and her little brother sang songs. The hands were painted with the country's former red-green-black flag. But when she arrived in the country, the all-white flag of the Taliban flew over her.
- The previous flag was beautiful, she says, and continues in a whisper:
- I can't say anything negative about the white one now.
Pakistan has demanded that 1.7 million Afghans leave the country. The deadline expires tomorrow.
*****************************
10,000 Afghans at the border - last day to return home
Over 10,000 Afghans have crossed the border to leave Pakistan on Tuesday, government official Irshad Mohmand told AFP. Starting tomorrow, Afghan citizens who remain in the country illegally risk arrest and deportation.
- The number continues to grow, says Mohmand.
A total of 1.7 million people are affected by the order. Since the threat in early October, at least 100,000 Afghans have left the country, perhaps closer to 200,000.
Human rights organizations warn that Afghans living in Pakistan have been under severe pressure in recent weeks, writes the New York Times. Companies have fired employees, leases have been torn up and police have raided. There is also a concern about what will happen to the people who have previously been deeply critical of the Taliban and who are now being forced back into the country.
Inga kommentarer:
Skicka en kommentar