Afghan families in Brunswick share fears as Pakistan border violence intensifies

The latest round of military strikes between Pakistan and Afghanistan has sent shockwaves through Melbourne's Afghan diaspora, with community leaders in Brunswick and Coburg reporting an uptick in distressed inquiries from families desperate to know the fate of relatives caught in the crossfire.

"The phone calls started coming in the moment the news broke," says Nasrin Ahmadi, coordinator at the Afghan Community of Victoria, a support organisation based on Sydney Road in Brunswick. "People are terrified. Many of them have spent years trying to sponsor family members through the migration system, and now they're watching the situation deteriorate in real time."

Recent reports indicate that strikes in the border region have killed dozens, creating fresh humanitarian concerns for the estimated 15,000 Afghan-born residents now living in Greater Melbourne. For many, the violence has reopened old wounds from decades of conflict while complicating already lengthy visa application processes.

Karim, a Brunswick-based accountant who arrived in Australia seven years ago under the skilled migration visa program, says his elderly mother's application has stalled for over two years. "The delays were already frustrating," he explains, requesting anonymity to protect family members still abroad. "But now there's this fear that even if she gets approved, the security situation makes travel impossible. Where do you go when your own country isn't safe?"

The Afghan Community of Victoria has fielded approximately 40 welfare calls in the past week alone, according to Ahmadi. The organisation, which operates a community hub in Coburg alongside services delivered through the Coburg Multicultural Centre, provides translation support, mental health referrals, and advocacy assistance for visa holders and their families.

Data from the Department of Home Affairs shows that as of March 2026, there were over 2,400 pending Afghan humanitarian visa applications nationally, many filed by Melbourne residents seeking to reunite with spouses, children, and parents. The processing time for such applications has extended to an average of 18 months, according to community advocates.

"The Australian government talks about multiculturalism and family reunion," Ahmadi adds, "but when geopolitical instability strikes, people like us are caught between two worlds. We've built lives here, but we can't abandon those still waiting."

The Afghan Community of Victoria has scheduled an information session at the Coburg Multicultural Centre for July 9, offering free legal advice on visa applications and welfare support options. Community leaders are also engaging with the office of Daniel Andrews' electorate representative regarding advocacy efforts.

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