Many Pakistani families fled into Afghanistan to escape the chaos and unrest of the country. Hundreds of families escaped into the neighboring country. About some 6,000 women and children had crossed the border.
According to the United Nations, people were forced to flee amidst the clashes between the Sunni and Shia Muslim Arab tribes of Pakistan. This is the first time in years that Pakistanis had fled into Afghanistan. For many years, it was the other way around.
Pakistani refugees have crossed the border between the tribal areas and southeastern Afghan provinces. The United Nations refugee agency UNHCF say that clashes on a historic level between Shias and Sunnis in Kurram have escalated in the past couple of weeks.
“It’s the first time that we see this in very large numbers which shows that security in those areas has seriously deteriorated and it’s probably become out of control,” according to UNHCR representative, Salvatore Lombardo.
He adds that the refugees have been given shelter by the villagers that live by the Pashtun Valley tribal code of hospitality.
The UN says that due to the rise of Taliban and militant Islamic groups in Pakistan, parts of Afghanistan are safer for families.