Peshawar: Ajmal Haiklzada, 44, first found himself as a refugee during the Soviet-Afghan war of the 1980s when his artist father fled Afghanistan to seek refuge in Pakistan. After the US overthrown the Taliban in 2001, he returned to his birthplace.
After the Taliban captured Kabul twenty years later, he once again escaped.
Haikalzada, currently living in Peshawar, Pakistan, claimed that after the Taliban's withdrawal, musicians and artists were forced to stay in their homes, music institutions were closed, and musicians hid their instruments. They knew that the Taliban had allegedly destroyed musical instruments in Kabul.
But the security they expected from the neighboring country Pakistan has not been fulfilled. Haikalzada was detained last month as an anti-Afghan refugee campaign was underway.
Haikalzada said, "I had to sell every instrument I owned to save my life because Afghanistan was no longer a place for artists. We were mistaken in thinking we could perform music and make our art in Pakistan.
When they requested my national identity card and learned that I was an unregistered refugee, I was taken into custody by the police. Two days later they freed me.
Nadeem Shah, 24, who was one of four Afghan musicians detained in May on suspicion of illegally entering Pakistan, experienced the same. They claimed that we are being asked to provide registration proof, which we do not have.
It becomes difficult to convince the police that we are the actors who had to run away. No one chooses to leave their home; We had to do this to survive, and as a result, we left a part of us behind. But we have to face persecution here too.
Since the 1980s, Pakistan has taken in more than 1.5 million unregistered refugees who do not have legal status as well as at least 1.4 million registered refugees. After the Taliban captured Kabul last year, tens of thousands of Afghans fled to Pakistan. They are seeking registered refugee status due to the country's financial crisis.
More than 450 Afghan families have set up camp near the Press Club in the country's capital Islamabad and are demanding registration or relocation to a third country. The police used force to disperse them, which was criticized by civil society organizations.
More than 150 Afghan artists who are registered with Pakistani organizations like Hunari Tolana, Hunar Kor and Mafkura are fighting for their rights.
The UNHCR and Pakistani authorities have been contacted by the President of Mafqura, Hayat Rogani, to provide proof of registration for Afghan artists. He said, “We are requesting POR only for Afghan artistes who should be allowed to travel and perform in Pakistan.
Singer Kainat Toofan, 22, who appeared on several Afghan TV channels, covered her tattoo with a veil and pretended to be the wife of a smuggler to enter Pakistan.
“After the acquisition, we were left helpless, crying and hungry for a month in Kabul. Those who fled as fast as we could. After borrowing $200 (£169) to travel to Pakistan via Spin Boldak For this, I gave my Afghan passport and identity card.
“I had no choice but to leave because Afghanistan is no longer a place for women and artists. There is not even a joint space for all women. Now it has a male dominated society. Women want their personal space back.
In Peshawar, Afghan and Pakistani musicians protested against music by shouting slogans, demonstrations, chanting and waving placards for the release of detained musicians.
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