Forgotten Afghan refugees d

When the Soviet Union invaded Afghanistan, millions of poor Afghans rushed through the borders into Pakistan for safety. They became the largest displaced community in the world at that point in time. Nearly six million fled Afghanistan and came to Pakistan for safety and shelter. For many of them, it became their home away from home. But for a developing country like Pakistan where millions were and are below the breadline, the influx of people became a burden on the country’s exchequer. While 4.4 million refugees have returned to Afghanistan under the UNHCR-facilitated voluntary repatriation operation, Pakistan is still home to 1.4 million registered refugees. The cost of their stay comes straight from Pakistan’s already depleted and dry kitty. And with the Covid-19 pandemic raging in the region and the idea of lasting peace in Afghanistan still a distant dream, these displaced individuals have no option but to stay where they are.

In such circumstances, the global community must feel the urgency of action required to support the displaced Afghans. For too long, Pakistan has shouldered that burden. It is about time for the world to take some financial responsibility to cater to projects in education, health, energy, water, and community infrastructure both in Pakistan and Afghanistan. Now in its fifth decade, the Afghan crisis is in dire need of attention and support from not just the host countries but the wealthy nations that have conveniently forgotten about the conflict and its consequences — primarily because it has dragged beyond its expected expiration date. Without security, stability, and the assurance that these individuals will be reintegrated into the society back in Afghanistan, it is almost impossible to expect the refugees to return.

While the world needs to loosen the purse strings, it also needs to come together to ensure that there is lasting peace in Afghanistan — just so these displaced individuals can finally return to their homeland.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 16^th, 2020.

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