What does “return” actually feel like for Afghans sent back from Pakistan or Iran?
Hi everyone,
I’m a UK‑based writer currently working on a piece about the experiences of Afghans who have been forced or pressured to return from countries like Pakistan or Iran - especially people who may have spent years (or even their whole lives) outside Afghanistan.
A lot of reporting talks about “returns” as if people are simply going home, but I’m trying to understand what that experience actually feels like in reality.
For people who’ve gone through this themselves, or who know family/friends who have:
- Did it feel like returning home?
- What was the hardest part?
- Were people able to rebuild their lives, or did it feel like another form of displacement?
You can stay completely anonymous and share as much or as little as you want. Please don’t include any personal details (names, exact locations, routes) that could put you or anyone else at risk. If you prefer, you’re very welcome to message me privately instead of replying here.
I’m not looking for personal data, and I won’t use anything in my writing without clear consent – I’m just trying to better understand experiences that often don’t make it into public discussion.
Thank you for reading, and for anything you’re comfortable sharing.