Afghan children have been clinging to lorries to get into Pakistan via the Torkham International Border Crossing to smuggle goods as a way to make a living in the crisis-stricken country.
On Wednesday, crowds of Afghan children stood inspecting the undercarriages of lorries carrying goods into Pakistan. Later some hid in the structure in an attempt to smuggle themselves through the busy border hub.
"My youngest child goes (hiding) inside the lorry. They carry goods. We are poor. They smuggle to earn a living. This is what we have to do because of unemployment. We have to do such dangerous work," said an Afghan man at the border crossing who added his child earns 1,500 Pakistani rupees ($8.78) per day.
Exposing themselves to engine fumes, grease and dust, Afghan children face the perilous journey to provide for their families as their country further takes blows under the Taliban rule and economic isolation.
"We are 17 people living in one house and there are expenses. We have to do dangerous jobs. To earn a living, you have to live or die," said another Afghan man.
Afghan children have been clinging to lorries to get into Pakistan via the Torkham International Border Crossing to smuggle goods as a way to make a living in the crisis-stricken country.
On Wednesday, crowds of Afghan children stood inspecting the undercarriages of lorries carrying goods into Pakistan. Later some hid in the structure in an attempt to smuggle themselves through the busy border hub.
"My youngest child goes (hiding) inside the lorry. They carry goods. We are poor. They smuggle to earn a living. This is what we have to do because of unemployment. We have to do such dangerous work," said an Afghan man at the border crossing who added his child earns 1,500 Pakistani rupees ($8.78) per day.
Exposing themselves to engine fumes, grease and dust, Afghan children face the perilous journey to provide for their families as their country further takes blows under the Taliban rule and economic isolation.
"We are 17 people living in one house and there are expenses. We have to do dangerous jobs. To earn a living, you have to live or die," said another Afghan man.
Afghan children have been clinging to lorries to get into Pakistan via the Torkham International Border Crossing to smuggle goods as a way to make a living in the crisis-stricken country.
On Wednesday, crowds of Afghan children stood inspecting the undercarriages of lorries carrying goods into Pakistan. Later some hid in the structure in an attempt to smuggle themselves through the busy border hub.
"My youngest child goes (hiding) inside the lorry. They carry goods. We are poor. They smuggle to earn a living. This is what we have to do because of unemployment. We have to do such dangerous work," said an Afghan man at the border crossing who added his child earns 1,500 Pakistani rupees ($8.78) per day.
Exposing themselves to engine fumes, grease and dust, Afghan children face the perilous journey to provide for their families as their country further takes blows under the Taliban rule and economic isolation.
"We are 17 people living in one house and there are expenses. We have to do dangerous jobs. To earn a living, you have to live or die," said another Afghan man.