The Afghan equation

Since the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan, Pakistan has shared a relationship that goes back more than 30 years with its neighbour, hosting millions as refugees for decades. Today, that relationship continues, but a somewhat sour note has been added to it. According to the UNHCR, there have been increasing reports that the 1.7 million Afghans still based in the country, are facing greater harassment and pressure from Pakistani authorities to return to their homeland. The refugees — who are still based at various camps — are unwilling to go home to what they see as being an obviously unsafe environment. The looming threat of the Taliban’s possible returning to the power structure in Afghanistan also adds to the unease. Afghans, most of all women and members of minority ethnic communities such as the Hazara, know just what life under the Taliban means. There are no official figures, but there is much talk of a continuing trickle of Afghans — both refugees and economic migrants — over the long and highly porous Durand Line.

Pakistan needs to act on this issue with earnest resolution. Pakistan’s problems in Afghanistan are a result of its policy in the latter country. Even today, Afghans who oppose a Taliban return are said to be angered by what they say are ‘games’ played by Islamabad and tensions between the latter and Kabul run high. But we need to move towards thinking of solutions and solving a problem that has gone on for far too long. Many Afghans living in Pakistan today have been born and bred here, resulting in thousands of intermarriages. The time has come to integrate these Afghans.

A clear policy is needed by the end of the year, before the residence permits currently issued to these Afghan nationals expire. And, of course, as far as wider policy goes, Pakistan and all the elements within it need to think about what they are doing, what impact this will have on the future and how it will affect a region that has been used as a playing field of power for decades, whilst major countries across the world have used it to build their own interests.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 27^th, 2012.