Afghanistan becoming unlikely destination for Pakistani job-seekers

Delawar Jan

KABUL: Afghanistan is emerging an unlikely new job market for Pakistanis as the number of the youth who are employed in the war-torn country crossed 100,000, officials here say.

“Around 100,000 Pakistanis are working in Afghanistan as chartered accountants, bankers, teachers, engineers, doctors and labourers,” said Muhammad Sadiq, Pakistan Ambassador to Afghanistan. He said the Pakistani workers were preferred for hiring because of their skills and experience. He revealed that $ 2.6 billion official export to the country, which makes it the biggest exporter to Afghanistan, had created 3.5 jobs in Pakistan.

The Pakistanis who work in Kabul suggested that the number of the workers in Afghanistan was well over 100,000. “The Ambassador might be talking of the workers they have official record of. I think a good number of unregistered Pakistanis have also been working in Afghanistan which is in addition to the 100,000 figure,” said Afzal Ahmad, manager at a food company.

The Pakistanis said they had taken up jobs in the war-struck country due to a saturated job market in Pakistan. Many of those interviewed said handsome salaries in Afghanistan had enticed them into seeking a job in the country that has been a theatre of an active war.

However, the number of Afghans who have been getting economic benefits from Pakistan dwarfs the total of Pakistani workers in Afghanistan. Muhammad Sadiq said 56,000 Afghans crossed into Pakistan every day for different needs including jobs. Around three million refugees who have jobs or businesses don’t count in it.

Daud Badshah, a resident of Shergarh, said he was underpaid in Pakistan. “A measly Rs4,000 salary was offered to me by NHA which was insufficient for me to cater to my family,” said Badshah, whose father is a watchman at a factory in Shergarh Town.  

The 26-year-old man, who could study only up to 9th class, works for 14 hours daily (7am-9pm) at a restaurant in Kabul, where he supervises a staff of 35 people but makes good money. “I am getting Rs16,380 (Af.9,000), plus the tip,” he said. “My family tried to stop me from taking up the job in Afghanistan but my poor economic conditions forced me to come here. Four years later, the pressure continues,” he added.  

Badshah’s job encouraged his brother Sardar Badshah, who also came to Afghanistan in search of a job. Now, he gets a salary of 500 US dollars as a cook.

“Afghan police harass us despite that we have visas. They demand bribe from us and misbehave with us. But people here are nice and respectful,” he said.

At the same restaurant, Muhammad Ayaz from Peshawar and Muhammad Ali from Skardu receive Rs23,660 (Af.13,000) and Rs30,940 (Af.17,000), respectively.

Waqar Ahmad came from Peshawar to Kabul in 2007 to find a job. Now, he holds an executive position in a company for the last almost six years and gets an undisclosed ‘handsome’ salary. “The road that winds through the troubled areas into Pakistan is very dangerous,” he said. “I have seen bombs exploding in front of me. I have seen Taliban blocking the road and checking. I have been caught up in crossfire. But thanks God, I have remained unscathed each time,” he said of the threats.

Some say the Afghans sometimes discriminate against them for being Pakistanis due to anti-Pakistan sentiments.

“Once, I was traveling in a taxi in Kabul. The driver demanded my nationality and I revealed. He pulled over the car and forced me to disembark,” said Jawad Anjum, a company employee. He said it was not an isolated incident. “But those Afghans who respect you outnumber the narrow-minded ones,” he added.

Uncertainty about security always plagues Pakistanis. They say any incident could ignite violence against them. “We stay indoors when anti-Pakistan sentiments go up,” Anjum said.

Construction sector is booming and Pakistani workers and materials are playing an important role in it. “Cement, iron bars, sanitary goods and most of the construction material are supplied by Pakistan. Also, Pakistani labourers are employed for being skilled and efficient,” said Muhamamd Rehan Khan, general manager at a construction company.

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