© IOM/A. Tsybko Shahnaz’s story spans three generations whose lives were changed by forced displacement. From Pakistan to Afghanistan: returning to a homeland known only from stories Refugees and migrants
Thirty-five-year-old Shahnaz, the mother of seven children, considered Afghanistan her homeland since childhood, but knew about it only from the stories of her parents. She was born and raised in Pakistan to Afghan parents who fled their country forty years ago. This year she set foot on the land of her ancestors for the first time. Shahnaz’s story spans three generations whose lives were changed by forced displacement.
The life I had to leave behind in Pakistan
In Pakistan, Shahnaz lived without documents, but she earned good money by sewing, and her husband ran a small shop. Together they raised seven children and hoped for a better future. However, the family had to return to Afghanistan, and all these plans collapsed. The move deprived them of their savings, sources of income and the life they had built for decades. “We always considered Afghanistan our real home,” says Shahnaz. “But we have to start everything from scratch here.” Shahnaz’s eldest daughter, Asma, is 13 years old. After moving to Afghanistan, she helps take care of her younger siblings. Despite the uncertainty and restrictions that the laws impose on girls in Afghanistan, Asma makes plans for the future – she dreams of becoming a professional driver and already knows exactly what kind of car she wants to drive. Her younger brothers and sisters, due to their age, cannot yet understand what is happening and are simply getting used to unfamiliar streets and life in a new place. © IOM/A. Tsybko In Pakistan, Shahnaz and her husband raised seven children and hoped for a better future. Gathering around the table, the elder members of the Shahnaz family often recalled life in Afghanistan. They talked about the mountains, villages and local traditions. Now Shahnaz is discovering all this for herself, and the memories of her grandparents and parents help her quickly get used to her new place of residence. Like many refugees who returned to Afghanistan, Shahnaz’s family still needs to find permanent housing and sources of livelihood. They need clothing, as well as access to medical care, children need to study. The International Organization for Migration (IOM) is helping refugees returning to Afghanistan restart their lives. More than a million Afghans returned to Afghanistan from Pakistan in 2025, placing additional strain on local communities and humanitarian services across the country. At border crossings and transit centers, IOM provides people with hot meals, temporary housing, cash assistance, transportation, medical services, and essential supplies. necessity. Despite numerous difficulties, Shahnaz hopes that in her new place she will be able to give her children what was so lacking in Pakistan – the opportunity to grow up as full-fledged members of society in the country they have always considered home. 
Homeland, known only from stories