September 19, 2025
By Islam Gul Afridi
LAHORE
Nineteen year-old Adnan Chopan, who was once one of Afghanistan’s top mixed martial arts champions, must now keep his passion as a second priority as everyday he must go to work at a brick kiln. Thanks to the Taliban’s ban on sports and threats to his life, he fled to neighbouring Pakistan four years ago, but here he has had to face an entirely new challenge, something he never imagined, because now instead of sports, he is forced to earn a living through hard physical labor.
“After breakfast, I go to the kiln to work, where I prepare bricks, and then stack them once they are dried,” he says. “The work is extremely tough. Back in my own country, I had never imagined I would ever have to do such a job.”
After a day of hard labour, Chopaan spends his evenings working at a scrapyard but has not forgotten his training. He takes time out to train for martial arts on the side. There are no facilities available here, but his deep passion for the sport has kept him going despite the harsh conditions.
“Even without training, I am still better than many other athletes, and I have the ability to take on the toughest competitions,” he says with an air of confidence.
Adnan, who is also a skilled wrestler apart from being a martial artist, has won several medals and certificates of recognition in Afghanistan by competing in various tournaments and was hopeful for a bright future, but the arrival of Taliban, their oppressive policies and his subsequent self-exile changed everything. And because he was not a member of any formal academy, he has not been able to find opportunities to play in Pakistan.
He has won 15 medals and commendation certificates in Afghanistan, and has competed in Khost, Paktia, Laghman, and Nangarhar provinces. In Pakistan, he has had only a few chances to compete in Dera Ismail Khan and in Punjab, but these instances have been rare. He says the biggest hurdle in pursuing sports is the lack of financial resources.
Four years ago, he registered with the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) for relocation to a third country, but despite the long wait, there has been no positive response.
Pakistan’s recent announcement regarding the expulsion of refugees has only added to Chopaan’s problems.
“I have submitted all my documents to UNHCR; we hope the agency will review my case,” he says. “We have been waiting for a response for a long time. Our financial and other problems are increasing. We request that our case be expedited so that no more time is wasted.”
According to UNHCR, more than 24,000 people are waiting for relocation to a third country, but the process has slowed down due to various issues.
Meanwhile, problems for Afghan refugees living in Pakistan without visas are growing with each passing day. According to the agency, after August 2021, nearly 600,000 new Afghan refugees entered Pakistan fearing the Taliban. These included Afghan citizens linked with international organizations, government lawyers, athletes, journalists, musicians, transgender persons, social activists, as well as former police and other security personnel.