Exile and Identity: Comparative Analysis of Migrant Experiences in Pakistani and Afghanistani Selected Novels

Abstract

This study presents a comparative analysis of migrant experiences and the construction of identity in contemporary Pakistani and Afghanistani novels, with a focus on how displacement, exile, and migration shape individual and collective subjectivities. Drawing upon postcolonial and diasporic theoretical frameworks, the research examines the ways in which authors from both nations depict the emotional, cultural, and social challenges faced by migrants navigating unfamiliar landscapes while negotiating ties to their homeland. Through close textual analysis, the study explores themes of alienation, belonging, nostalgia, and resilience, highlighting similarities and differences in narrative strategies, character development, and socio-political commentary. The findings suggest that while both Pakistani and Afghanistani literature foreground the psychological and cultural consequences of migration, variations in historical context, political instability, and social structures influence the representation of identity and exile. This research contributes to comparative South Asian literary studies by elucidating how fiction engages with displacement and the fluidity of identity, offering insights into the shared and divergent experiences of migrants across Pakistan and Afghanistan.