- Title: Hopes of returning home 'dashed' for Afghans in Pakistan
- Date: 24th August 2021
- Summary: PESHAWAR, PAKISTAN (AUGUST 24, 2021) (REUTERS) TRAFFIC ON ROAD OUTSIDE REFUGEE CAMP SIGN READING (Urdu): "AFGHAN REFUGEE CAMP" AFGHAN REFUGEE WALKING WITH HIS BICYCLE VARIOUS OF CHILDREN FILLING JUGS WITH WATER FROM HAND PUMP TRAFFIC ON ROAD (SOUNDBITE) (Pashto) AFGHAN REFUGEE FROM NANGARHAR REGION, WHO IS STUDYING IN PESHAWAR, ASAD ULLAH, SAYING: "Whether it's a Taliban government, or a government by anyone else, they should try to rule by the pen, and not by the sword. These people who are trying to flee from Afghanistan should be given the assurance that 'we are going to bring peace for you here.' All Afghans, especially the younger lot like myself, are bewildered. My hope was to return home, but that hope is now dashed, because we don't know what is going to happen in Afghanistan in the future." CUSTOMERS OUTSIDE GROCERY SHOP VARIOUS OF BOY SELLING LOCAL SNACK BOY EATING ICE LOLLY MAN SORTING PACKETS OF SNACKS AND SWEETS ON DISPLAY OUTSIDE SHOP (SOUNDBITE) (Pashto) AFGHAN REFUGEE FROM NANGARHAR, LAL MOHAMMAD ASHRAFZADA, SAYING: "One thing that I do not like, and that which is bothering me, is the people who are trying to flee the country. The Taliban should form a cabinet, and bring in an Islamic system into the country as soon as possible, so that they can reassure the people and convince them to stay at home. Because if the Taliban are going to rule, who are they going to rule (if the people flee)?" MAN WALKING ACROSS BRIDGE VARIOUS OF REFUGEE CHILDREN BATHING IN STREAM VARIOUS OF GIRL WALKING TOWARDS REFUGEE CAMP WITH BOWL ON HER HEAD VARIOUS OF BOY PUSHING WHEELBARROW (SOUNDBITE) (Pashto) AFGHAN REFUGEE FROM KUNAR PROVINCE, KARAMAT ULLAH, SAYING: "I appeal to all Afghans to not have their sights pinned on going abroad. Stay home and build your own country. Governments come and go; many governments are overthrown across the world. We Afghans have shown a weakness once, but now we have to take heart. We have to bring a good system with justice and opportunities for all." VARIOUS OF REFUGEE CHILDREN WALKING TO SCHOOL VARIOUS OF MEDIC CHECKING SICK REFUGEE BOY
- Embargoed: 7th September 2021 15:40
- Keywords: Afghan refugees Afghanistan Pakistan Peshawar conflict refugee camp
- Location: PESHAWAR, PAKISTAN
- City: PESHAWAR, PAKISTAN
- Country: Pakistan
- Topics: Asia / Pacific,Conflicts/War/Peace
- Reuters ID: LVA001ERN0VUV
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: Afghan refugees who have lived in Pakistan for decades on Tuesday (August 24) said their hopes of returning to their homeland had been "dashed" by the Taliban's takeover of Afghanistan's capital Kabul.
"My hope was to return home, but that hope is now dashed, because we don't know what is going to happen in Afghanistan in the future," said Asad Ullah, an Afghan refugee from Nangarhar Region, who is studying in Peshawar.
Chaos punctuated by sporadic violence has gripped Kabul's airport, with foreign troops and Afghan security guards driving back crowds clamouring to get on flights following the Taliban's takeover of the Afghan capital on August 15.
Many Afghans fear reprisals and a return to a harsh version of Islamic law that the Taliban enforced when in power from 1996 to 2001, in particular the repression of women.
The top U.N. human rights official, Michelle Bachelet, said she had received credible reports of serious violations committed by the Taliban, including summary execution of civilians and restrictions on women and protests against their rule.
Leaders of the Taliban, who have sought to show a more moderate face since capturing Kabul, have begun talks on forming a government that have included discussions with some old enemies from past governments, including a former president, Hamid Karzai.
"The Taliban should form a cabinet, and bring in an Islamic system into the country as soon as possible, so that they can reassure the people and convince them to stay at home," said Lal Mohammad Ashrafzada, a refugee from Nangarhar.
The Pajhwok news agency reported that Taliban officials had been appointed to various posts including a governor of Kabul, acting interior and finance ministers and intelligence chief. A Taliban spokesman was not immediately available for comment.
Recognition of a Taliban government by other countries would have important consequences, like allowing the Taliban access to foreign aid that previous Afghan governments have depended upon.
(Production: Salah Uddin, Sheree Sardar, Paul Warren, Natasa Bansagi) - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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