“Don't Take Away Our Future,” Says Afghan Student Facing Deportation Threat In Pakistan

“If we are sent back to Afghanistan while our education is still in progress in Pakistan, our academic journey may end forever.”

These are the words of 18-year-old Afghan student Sapna, who hails from Kunar in Afghanistan and has been living with her family for years in the Chakdara refugee camp of Lower Dir, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Speaking to TNN, Sapna said life in a refugee camp is never easy, but her dream is education. She is currently enrolled in the third semester of Tourism and Hotel Management at Malakand University.

For her, this degree is more than just a subject, it is the key to a brighter future, a path toward standing on her own feet and contributing positively to society.

But Sapna's dream, along with those of thousands of Afghan girls, now hangs in the balance. The Government of Pakistan recently announced that after August 31, Afghan refugees holding Proof of Registration (PoR) cards will also be considered“illegal.” These cards had long given refugees a sense of temporary protection and legal identity.

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Now, overnight, millions of Afghan families, including Sapna's, have been told they are“illegal” in the country where they have sought shelter for years.

The announcement has triggered fear and uncertainty among refugees.“When I heard this decision, it felt like the ground was pulled from under my feet,” Sapna said.“Education requires peace of mind, time, and stability. But when you live under the constant fear of being expelled tomorrow, how can a student focus on studies?”

She explained that if she is forced back to Afghanistan, not only will she lose her university education, but years of hard work and dreams will be left incomplete. The challenge is even more complex for her as a young woman.“If the government deports us and I still wish to continue my education in Pakistan, my family will never allow it. They won't leave me here alone because I am a girl. That means my education will end right there.”

With Afghanistan enforcing a ban on girls' education, forced return would permanently shut the doors of education for thousands of female students.“I request the Government of Pakistan to give us time, allow us to complete our education first, and then take any decision,” she pleaded.

Sapna and many other Afghan students find themselves trapped between two borders. They face neither full acceptance in Pakistan nor a possible return to Afghanistan. For them, Pakistan is not just a place of refuge but also a center of learning where they dared to dream of a better future. Ending their education, they argue, is not simply an administrative decision but the extinguishing of hope itself.

Education has always been a beacon of light for displaced and refugee communities. It provides courage to escape the darkness of poverty, war, and exile. For Afghan refugees, education is not a privilege but a means of survival. Without it, they see no path forward.

The world, Sapna believes, must listen to these voices. Policymakers must recognize that these students are not a burden but an asset. If given the chance to complete their studies, they can not only transform their own lives but also bring light and positive change to the societies they live in.

Sapna dreams of making her mark in the world of hotel management, welcoming guests from across the globe and representing her culture with pride. But for now, her greatest wish is simply to be allowed enough time to complete her degree and secure her future.

Her voice reminds us that behind every refugee is a human story . Behind every policy are hearts, dreams, and eyes filled with hope. If given the opportunity, Sapna and thousands of girls like her will not only gain an education but will rise and thrive. This, however, is only possible if the world stands by them, acknowledges their right to education, and helps them move toward a better tomorrow.

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