Sustainable long term Afghan refugee policy required

By Rasheed Khalid

December 30, 2023

Islamabad: Institute of Regional Studies organised a Roundtable discussion on “Afghan refugees and illegal migrants; problems and the way forward” here Friday.

The speakers were of the view that Pakistan as a sovereign country was well within its rights to formulate policies regarding illegal migration. The timing of the decision and the implementation mechanism could be debated. Some of them observed that many of the Afghan migrants had been living in Pakistan for decades. The rise of terrorism incidents may not be directly related to the policy.

Afghan refugees rest at a makeshift camp upon their arrival from Pakistan, near the Afghanistan-Pakistan Torkham border in Nangarhar province on November 2, 2023. — AFP

The policy had negative fallout in Afghanistan and with many human rights bodies. The social media in Afghanistan was indulging in a negative portrayal of Pakistan and there was a need to address these misperceptions. According to them, Pakistan and Afghanistan were neighbours and improvement of relations between the two was essential for regional peace and prosperity.

The speakers who included Pakistan’s former ambassador to Afghanistan Abrar Hussain, Dr Noreen Naseer from University of Peshawar, expert on international humanitarian and human rights law Sibah Farooq, Afghan women rights activist Safia Ibrahimkhel and President, IRS, Nadeem Riyaz were of the view that Pakistan, Afghanistan and the international community should assist the Afghan refugees to return to their homeland with honour and dignity. It was essential to formulate a legal framework in Pakistan which could assist in proper implementation of the policy.

The speakers also called for research, collection of proper data and in-depth analysis of the current situation for policy modification.

The speakers also felt that after the elections, the new government should develop a sustainable long term refugee policy after consulting all stakeholders. Pakistan and Afghanistan must enhance their relationships and liberalisation of trade and enhancement of people to people contacts. Pakistan must develop a counter-narrative to address the misgivings in Afghanistan about Pakistan.