By Syed Samiullah
Pakistan has consistently displayed unwavering compassion as one of the world’s largest refugee-hosting nations, extending a helping hand to those in dire need of sanctuary for over four decades. The roots of this humanitarian endeavor trace back to April 1978 when Afghanistan witnessed a mass exodus.
The catalyst for this migration was the overthrow of the government of Muhammad Daoud by the Marxist People’s Democratic Party of Afghanistan (PDPA), which had previously seized power from Afghan King Zahir Shah in 1973 through a nonviolent coup. The situation escalated significantly with the Soviet Union’s invasion of Afghanistan in December 1979. The aftermath of this turmoil saw more than four million Afghans seeking refuge in Pakistan, as documented by The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).
Demographically, the majority of Afghan citizens found solace in the Pashtun-dominated regions of Pakistan, including Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and the Quetta-Chaman area of Baluchistan. However, a smaller segment opted to settle in urban centers such as Karachi, Rawalpindi, Islamabad, Lahore, and Azad Kashmir. According to the UNHCR report as of June 30, 2022, Pashtuns constitute the largest ethnic group among Afghan citizens in Pakistan, making up 85% of the population, with the remaining 15% comprising Uzbeks, Tajiks, and other ethnicities.
The distribution of Afghan refugees in Pakistan is uneven, with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa hosting the largest proportion at 52.3%, followed by Baluchistan (24.5%), Punjab (14.4%), Sindh (5.6%), Islamabad (3%), and Azad Kashmir (0.3%). Their relatively smooth integration into local customs and culture is facilitated by historical, ethnic, religious, and linguistic ties between Afghan immigrants and the Pakistani population.
The year 1988 marked a turning point when the Soviet Union made the decision to withdraw from Afghanistan. In 1992, following the departure of the Soviet-installed leader Najibullah from power, approximately one and a half-million refugees returned to their homeland. However, the situation in Kabul deteriorated as various mujahideen groups engaged in a power struggle to control the capital and its surrounding areas.
This instability gave rise to a new wave of displacement, affecting possibly up to a million people, the majority of whom remained within Afghanistan as internally displaced people (IDPs). In 1996, after a year-long siege, the Taliban seized control of Kabul and gradually expanded their dominion throughout the country. While they brought a semblance of peace to the areas under their control, a significant number of Afghans, particularly those with an educational background, chose to flee due to the Taliban’s stringent interpretation of Islamic customs, which imposed severe restrictions on women’s rights, education, and cultural life.
The final surge of refugees from Afghanistan occurred during the U.S.-led invasion in October 2001, prompting an estimated 200,000 to 300,000 individuals to seek refuge elsewhere. This protracted history of Afghan migration and its impact on Pakistan underscores the enduring humanitarian commitment and the shared cultural and historical ties that bind the two nations.
Moreover, it is estimated by the Government of Pakistan that an additional 600,000 individuals have sought refuge in the country since the events of 2021, taking shelter in neighboring Afghanistan. As revealed by Sarfarz Bughti, Pakistan’s interim Interior Minister, approximately 1.73 million Afghan nationals currently reside in Pakistan without valid Proof of Registration (PoR) cards or visas. In response to this, the Pakistani government has initiated a crackdown, urging these individuals to leave voluntarily by November 1, 2023, or face deportation.
It is imperative to carefully and fairly examine this situation. Pakistan has indeed shown generosity in accommodating hundreds of thousands of Afghan refugees for the past four decades, with their numbers fluctuating over time. During this period, many Afghans crossed the border without possessing valid passports and visas. In light of the improved security situation in Afghanistan following the withdrawal of American and NATO forces, Pakistan’s decision to encourage their return to their homeland is a valid one. Reflecting on the consequences of prolonging the hosting of such a large refugee population, the Government of Pakistan has identified several issues that have arisen at various levels. Security concerns have increased over time, with some refugees becoming involved in terrorist activities. Notably, the Army Public School attack in 2014, orchestrated from Afghanistan, underscored the need for enhanced border management and stricter monitoring from both sides.
Recent attacks originating from Afghanistan, the presence of Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan in Afghanistan, and the lack of serious action against them have further fueled Pakistan’s determination to take significant measures, including the deportation of Afghan nationals. The Pakistani government alleges that Afghan nationals were responsible for 14 of the 24 suicide bombings witnessed in the country this year, supported by evidence provided by Pakistan’s caretaker Interior Minister Sarfraz Bugti.
Another pressing issue raised by Pakistan concerns the involvement of Afghan citizens in smuggling activities. While there were instances of Pakistani citizens and authorities also engaging in illicit trade, Afghan nationals played a pivotal role in smuggling goods from Pakistan to Afghanistan. This illegal trade has severely impacted Pakistan’s economy, resulting in scarcity of essential commodities. Over the past few months, a significant amount of dollars, grain, sugar, and other necessities were smuggled, leading to near economic collapse and shortages of wheat and sugar in local markets. On the flip side, goods smuggled from Afghanistan into Pakistan, including opium, hashish, heroin, lumber, precious stones, copper, automobiles, and electronics, have exacerbated the situation.
Additional concerns revolve around issues like fake identities, economic burdens, job shortages, and disloyalty. Reports suggest that over 200,000 Afghans have obtained fake Pakistani citizenship and identity documents, such as Computerized National Identity Cards (CNICs), in violation of the Pakistan Citizenship Act 1951, which clearly states that those who migrated to Pakistan after April 18, 1951, are not considered Pakistani citizens.
The economic burden has grown as most Afghan nationals, as per the Federal Board of Revenue, evade paying taxes or underreporting their income. Afghan traders have significantly contributed to increased imports, impacting the local market. Furthermore, the presence of hundreds of thousands of Afghan nationals has limited job opportunities for Pakistani citizens, leading to private discussions among officials and Pakistani nationals about a growing sense of disloyalty among some Afghans towards Pakistan.
While acknowledging Pakistan’s valid grievances, it’s crucial to recognize that these issues have underlying causes. The Afghan Taliban and Afghans also have legitimate concerns. Such disputes often arise among neighboring nations due to evolving regional dynamics, but that doesn’t excuse a lack of understanding.
Over the past two decades, Pakistan could have played a more constructive role, but it faced constraints. Now, Afghanistan, especially the ‘Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan,’ has a chance to contribute positively, although they too have their limitations.
Mutual understanding and cooperation between both sides can lead to positive outcomes, while failure to do so may result in the undesirable consequences desired by the West, particularly the United States. Pakistan needs to understand that it is nearly impossible to evacuate people from a region within a short duration of one month where they have been living for four decades some of whom, in fact, may never have even set foot in Afghanistan.
| Response of host community | Balochistan | Islamabad | Khyber Pakhtunkhwa | Punjab | Sindh | Total |
| Don’t know | 9% | 4% | 5% | 0% | 9% | 7% |
| Extremely welcoming | 18% | 39% | 29% | 59% | 23% | 27% |
| Unwelcoming | 7% | 4% | 3% | 0% | 5% | 4% |
| Welcoming | 66% | 52% | 63% | 41% | 62% | 61% |
A critical priority for Pakistan, its police, and the armed forces is preserving mutual respect. Pakistan has hospitably hosted a large Afghan population for decades. It is unjust and perilous to tarnish their perception of Pakistan and incite anti-Pakistani sentiments. This is especially concerning because a 2018 survey conducted by the Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI) revealed that Afghans had largely held a positive view of their host community. It is essential to avoid transforming these once-positive perceptions into negative ones, as indicated by the survey’s findings:
It’s essential to closely monitor the actions of the police, especially in light of the disturbing videos circulating that show Afghan women, children, and the elderly being subjected to humiliation. As Muslims, we should all remember and reflect upon the profound words of the Holy Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him): “Whoever believes in Allah and the Last Day, should not hurt his neighbor, and whoever believes in Allah and the Last Day, should serve his guest generously” (Bukhari- 6136). To address this situation, several measures can be taken. Firstly, there is a strong case for extending the deadline by a minimum of three to six months, taking into account the request made by Afghan spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid for an extension. Secondly, it is imperative to oversee the evacuation process with utmost precision, ensuring that every Afghan refugee is treated with respect and safely repatriated.
Thirdly, Pakistan should consider the implementation of specialized visa services for refugees, simplifying the documentation process for them. Moreover, the introduction of Golden Visas, akin to the one Qatar has introduced, allowing Afghan traders a ten-year visa with certain restrictions, could prove mutually beneficial. Fourthly, expanding the number of dedicated facilities and camps established to aid Afghan refugees would greatly facilitate the evacuation process and ensure its smooth execution. In addition to these steps, improving border control security and actively avoiding confrontations is essential. Such a positive approach has the potential to strengthen the relationship and yield favorable outcomes for both parties involved. The author is a Research Officer at Rabita Forum International (RFI).