Illegal migration to Iran: A journey starts with poverty, sometimes ends in death — Pajhwok

ZARANJ (Pajhwok): Economic hardship and a lack of jobs are forcing some Afghan youths to migrate illegally to neighbouring Iran, a perilous journey in which travellers face extreme heat, thirst, deception by smugglers and even gunfire, with some losing their lives, as in the Dasht-i-Margow incident. Families of some victims of the illegal migration route to Iran say smugglers had downplayed the dangers of the journey by portraying the route as short and easy. Young man: Illegal migration is gambling with your life Zubair, a young man who entered Iran through illegal routes two years ago, told Pajhwok Afghan News that he had travelled to the neighbouring country because of unemployment and economic hardship, but was recently deported against his will. He said the smuggler had told him that the journey involved only a few hours of walking, but he spent several days and nights on the road. He recalled that he was shot near the Iranian border during the journey but, despite being wounded, managed to reach Iran. “Smugglers deceive young people for their own benefit. They say there is little walking, but when we reached the Kolgan area near Saravan in Iran, we hid among the mountains during the day and travelled at night,” Zubair explained. He said extreme heat, the long distance from health facilities and limited…