The refugees aren't ready to return just as yet. PHOTO: FAZAL KHALIQ/FILE
PAKISTAN: Pakistan hosts the largest number of refugees today, 1.6 million to be exact, according to a report published by the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR). The ‘total population of concern’ added up to almost 2.5 million at the end of 2012.
Refugees, according to the UNHCR definition, include individuals granted complementary forms of protection; or, those enjoying temporary protection. The refugee population also includes people in a refugee-like situation.
Pakistan hosts the largest number of refugees worldwide. Afghan refugees who have settled on Pakistani territory live on a hand-to-mouth earning basis. Children born here hope to go back someday.
The largest share of Pakistan’s refugees comes from Afghanistan. The figure saw a drop as the US-led invasion into Afghanistan began but return rates have stabilized since then.
The Pakistan government has issued warnings for the refugees, June 30 being the last date for them to return. Come July 1, the refugees risk arrest and deportation.
The UNHCR has been assisting the return of these refugees through cash donations going up to $157 but many are not ready to leave just as yet.
According to the report on Displaced Persons in the 21st Century, Pakistan hosted the largest number of refugees in relation to its economic capacity with 552 refugees per $1 GDP (PPP) per capita last year. The number of asylum claims lodged in Pakistan came up to 4000, while Kenya (the second biggest refugee base in the world) saw some 20,000 claims.
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@rwp: Census figures of number of Bengali Muslims in Assam and West Bengal changed dramatically in 1981 over 1971 so it wasn't propaganda. However the Congress government does not report them as refuges because it can get votes if they are treated as citizens.
All Afghan refugee families who came in the past and want to live in Pakistan must be given citizenship and they should be given all rights given to any Pakistani. I have met many Afghan people in Punjab and infact those who are born and bred here now consider this country and the region where they live as their home and they integrated well and all those refugees who are integrated here and want to live here as Pakistanis must be given all rights and their status of a refugee must end and be replaced with a Pakistani.
And it is indeed an unknown fact to the UNCHR that 70% of these refugees do not register to live in Camps .. the figure is not even 30% ... there are at least a couple of million "refugees" living in owned and rented houses across Pakistan. It's time to send them back and only let those who travel back & forth via valid visa only and are not refugees.
Afghanistan. The gift that keeps on giving.
@ Mango Man .. Or maybe that was just propaganda and now you know that after you have seen official UN figures. Or maybe you still prefer to be ignorant
I guess they missed the over 10 Million Bangladeshi Refugees in India since 1971! Or have they lost count!
We are told how everyone except Pakistan cares about Afghanistan specially India the only true friend time to board them on samjhota express and send them to India :)
@indi: Pakistan is living from head to mouth herself. They must leave now so that the country may get back to its economic order that she had 3 decades back.
pakistan should continue to keep them....in fact pakistan should improve the facilities given to them..... pakistan must help its neighbours :)