Afghanistan-Pakistan Border PHOTO:AFP
PAKISTAN: The deadline imposed by Pakistan on its 1.6 million registered and 0.6 million unregistered Afghan refugees approaches with the current government showing no intentions of providing more time for the process. The proof of registration cards held by these refugees will not be recognized come July 1 and all refugees risk arrest and deportation.
Earlier this month, it was said by the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Home and Tribal Affairs Department that the deadline was expected to be extended further as the matter was under discussion. The first deadline was set for December 31, 2012, before former prime minister Raja Pervaiz Ashraf postponed it to June 30 following the Pakistan, Afghanistan and UN Refugee Agency tripartite agreement regarding Afghan refugees.
The government set up camps to gather refugees from Sindh and Punjab six months ago so the process of documenting and repatriation would go smoother. Approximate 62000 Afghan refugees returned home from Pakistan just last year.
Pakistan has played host to over 5 million refugees since the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan. Out of that, 3.8 million have returned post the US-led invasion. The United Nations High Commission for Refugees is has been assisting the return of these refugees through monetary benefits. Assistance of up to $157 is being provided to refugees who have returned with timber, furniture, clothes and livestock in anticipation of their lives ahead.
Governmental pressure aside, most refugees still seem reluctant to leave this territory. They’d stay for as long as they’re allowed to. Those who have left with little hope have done so because the Taliban threat they faced once in Afghanistan has now shifted to Pakistan.
COMMENTS (15)
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@S: if we are one ummah then why afghans have not accepted 4.5 millions muslims of indo pak (most of them belong to punjab,kpk and sindh) in 1920's they have not accepted us in past then why we accept them?
@Pashtunyar: Please, stop with the whole Durrand Line argument. Pashtuns like you have tainted the image of hard working Pakistani Pashtuns. Stop being so adamant on reclaiming your land, it is NOT your land. Borders change as countries evolve. Israel claims to be the original owner of Palestine because Jews have biblical ties to Palestine. Do you agree with Israel's "historical land" claim as well? Just an example for you to digest before you continue to spread your naive and ill informed opinion.
As for the subject matter, Afghans need to leave Pakistan ASAP. I support a respectful process that does not harm them physically in any way. They need to return to their country and build it post NATO's departure.
The Afghans have the right to live west of the Indus as it is part of their historical land! The govt instead of deporting hard-working afghans (which in any case would be impractical and would only serve to grease the palms of the police) should deport the arabs/uzbeks living freely in FATA and the Bengalis living in Karachi!
Pakistan needs Afghan refugees, who are they going to blame all the internal problems on once they're gone?
@Insaan: why dont you shelter the AFGHANS in ur country..?....By doing this u,ll not only be able to show humanity (INSANIYAT) but also earn foreign currency.......... take them to your country.......
shouldn't we send these refugees to india if they aren't willing to go to afg. . I've heard there's a great love between afg and india these days!? (while most of 'enlightened' afghanis detest and are racist towards pakistan)
They should go back to their country as soon as possible.. We treated them as our brothers and sisters. but Now its more den enough.. Good bye and Allah hafiz Afghanis
@Logic: Pakistan needs to deport all illegal refugees - whether from Afghanistan or any neighboring land and focus on providing jobs and services for its own people. Unfortunately the Afghanis have brought a lot of crime including smuggling, weapons and prostitution. The Western countries can afford to grant Afghanis asylum and keep them living on welfare because they generally don't work in Western countries but it is unfair to expect Pakistan to house them.
offer them citizenship, they can leave when/if they want, we must help our Muslim brothers and sisters!
Does not matter what Afghan govt think about us, we are one Ummah.
I guess Pakistan can no longer make some money in the name of those refugees.
@Logic: we just cant get over with it!they have brought all the menace along with themselves!repatriate them immediately
Offer them citizenship and get over with it.
There are more than 5 million refugees still as Afghans multiply with great force.
No more extension, we had enough, let them go back to their home-land.