The Afghan’s Life in Quetta’s Refugee Camp

Anzilla Baloch/Imama Riaz

Quetta: In the rugged landscape of Quetta, the capital of Balochistan, lies an Afghan refugee camp that has been a haven for those fleeing violence in Afghanistan for decades. 

The camp, a vast array of tents and mud-brick houses, at least, enables its occupants to survive against heavy odds.

Among the camp’s numerous residents is Jamila, a woman in her forties who fled Kandahar with her family in 2016 when the Taliban regained power. 

Her husband, Ahmad, was a shopkeeper who resisted the strict restrictions imposed by the Taliban, which led to the targeting of his family. With two young daughters and an infant son, they decided to move to Pakistan in pursuit of safety and a better life.

Life in a refugee camp is a constant struggle. Initially, the family was housed in a small tent that barely protected them from the harsh weather.

In time, with the help of international aid organizations and with the support of fellow refugees, they were able to build a modest mud-brick house.

Despite these improvements, everyday life is an uphill struggle without clean water and inadequate health facilities. Food supplies were often limited, forcing Jamila and Ahmed to make difficult decisions to have their children properly fed. 

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Despite these difficulties, the camp has evolved into a lively community. With his hard work and determination, Ahmed established a small shop inside the camp, where he sells basic necessities and goods brought from local markets.

Jamila also contributed by joining a women’s cooperative, which produces and sells traditional Afghan handicrafts. This cooperative provided a source of income. 

There is also a makeshift school in the camp, where Jamila’s daughters Amina and Zainab attend classes with great dedication.

Education is a ray of hope for these young girls, giving them a glimpse of a future beyond the camp. Their teacher, who was once a professor in Kabul, inspires the girls with stories of resilience and the power of knowledge.

 One of the most touching aspects of camp life is the sense of community and cooperation. In the cold winter nights, families gather together to share warmth and resources, while in the hot summer sun, they find solace in communal activities, and live with the hope that one day they can return to their peaceful Afghanistan. 

Jamila’s youngest son, now a lively and eager boy of eight, dreams of becoming a doctor. Inspired by the stories of doctors saving lives in the camps, he reads passionately despite the limited resources available.

His dream reflects the enduring spirit of Quetta’s Afghan refugees, a spirit that refuses to give in to adversity and remains hopeful for a brighter future.

This Afghan refugee camp in Quetta is more than just a shelter. It motivates its  inhabitants  to aspire for a  better future .

The stories of individuals like Jamila and her family illuminate  and uplift the human spirit to persevere even against the greatest of  odds.

Translated and edited by Imama Riaz.  

‘Anzeela Baloch recently graduated from University of Balochistan in Media Studies and is a freelance writer’