Afghan refugees

This refers to the article, ‘The Afghan girl’ (Nov 14), by   Rahimullah Yusufzai. He has presented the story in a systematic     manner on     legal, diplomatic and humanitarian grounds .The Afghan refugees left their home in the wake of political violence, religious persecution, desperation and abject poverty, and took refuge in countries like Pakistan. Recently, the Nat Geo famed Afghan girl, Sharbat Gula, was arrested by the government of Pakistan on charges of document fraud. This action of the government is condemnable. The poor refugee spent her entire life in the country in poverty. Gula is suffering from Hepatitis C and at the time when she needed medical care, the government put her behind the bars. In the wake of the Middle Eastern refugee crisis, the country condemns the European states for their discrimination in immigration policies. But, the country doesn’t practice honouring such commitments when it comes to dealing with its immediate neighbours.

According to the tripartite agreement with Afghanistan and the UNHCR, Pakistan will repatriate all refugees by March 2017.This needs special consideration as it can trigger the humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan. This could generate anti-Pakistan sentiments. India will cash on this opportunity and accelerate its campaign of maligning Pakistan in the comity of nations. Pakistan must resort to soft approaches in the region. Terrorism and extremism can be defeated by stringent border management, regional connectivity through trade and traffic and robust political engagement. If people are harassed and intimidated, this could provide natural constituencies for cross-border terrorist networks. It is high time for the country to target militant outfits of all shades and reorient its foreign policy on the basis of geo-economic realignment. Diplomacy and good will must be given much-need chance and space.    

Saeed Ullah Khan Wazir

Baka Khel