Fifty Afghan children returned home amid border smuggling crisis

In March 2025, fifty Afghan children, including seventeen girls, were returned to Afghanistan by Pakistani authorities at the Torkham border crossing. The repatriation occurred following the intervention of a tribal jirga, which argued against legal action as most of the children were minors without travel documents. Local police had apprehended these children after they illegally crossed the border, cutting through a fence under the cover of darkness. This incident highlights a troubling trend of child involvement in smuggling operations amid harsh economic conditions in Afghanistan. The smuggling ring that exploits these children is believed to be organized, using minors to transport various goods across the border, including cigarettes and food products. Authorities indicated that many of these children come from impoverished families who have been involved in illicit activities for generations. The situation has worsened since the Taliban regained control of Afghanistan, leading to increased crackdowns on smuggling, which in turn has pushed vulnerable children back into these dangerous conditions after previously being enrolled in schools or local programs. Historically, the number of children involved in these activities significantly decreased when travel restrictions were imposed; however, recent data suggests that as the economic situation crumbles, the trend is reversing. With previous numbers reaching into the thousands, estimates currently suggest 700-800 children are engaged in cross-border smuggling, risking their lives under dire conditions. Furthermore, amidst this turmoil, the Torkham border has seen continuous waves of Afghan nationals trying to return to their homeland. This has led to protests and frustrations due to delayed immigration processing, particularly for those holding Tazkira, or national identity cards, who had faced a chaotic situation while waiting to return home. The repatriation of these fifty children, while seen as a humanitarian effort, underscores the grave circumstances that many Afghan families are struggling to navigate on both sides of the border.