February 2023 Persecution Magazine

THOSE WHO ESCAPED THE TALIBAN’S GRIP
MET HARSH CONDITIONS IN PAKISTAN
Christians and other refugees looking to leave
Afghanistan have few choices. Neighboring
Pakistan had potential exit routes, but the Pakistani
government has clamped down on refugees wishing
to enter the country.
Pakistan was not equipped to manage a refugee crisis, but
thousands of refugees crossed the border after the Taliban
takeover. Once Afghan Christians step foot in Pakistan,
however, their plight and journey are far from over.
WEIGHING THE COSTS AND RETURNING HOME
ICC found 60 Christian families that had fled Afghanistan for
Pakistan. At least three decided to return to Afghanistan after
months of turmoil as refugees in Pakistan.
Sardar and his Christian family initially had difficulty getting
into Pakistan after the Taliban takeover. He was abducted by
the Taliban en route to the border and held until his family
could pay a ransom. They managed to scrape the money
together, devastating them financially.
While Pakistan received refugees previously, the number of
families that arrived following the collapse of Afghanistan was
unprecedented. Thousands of Afghans flooded into Pakistan,
so Sardar’s family was insignificant and their struggles
commonplace. As with all the Christian refugee families,
these struggles would undoubtedly have been worse had
they been discovered as Christians.
Sardar and his family considered it better to return to
Afghanistan. The fact that he had been subjected to the
Taliban’s cruelties firsthand and still decided to go back
illustrates the dreadful state of Afghan refugees in Pakistan.
He has experienced what the Taliban is capable of and knows
how much worse it will be if the Taliban captures him again.
Despite the ever-present danger to him and his family in
Afghanistan, he felt there was a better chance of survival
hiding in the shadows of the Taliban rather than eking out a
life in Pakistan.
Once in Pakistan, Sardar and his family were not well received.
Like nearly all refugees, they faced hunger and poor living
conditions. With no means of work, they were at the mercy
of Pakistan’s refugee system.
WANT TO READ MORE?
ICC released a report detailing the experiences of Afghan
Christians after the Taliban takeover and what life looks
like in the wake of the destruction. Visit our website’s
Report Page or scan the QR code to read the report.
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