The writer is a graduate of Duke University in the US and tweets
@RaastiSaid
The image of the dispossessed Afghan takes multiple forms in the eyes of Pakistanis: the dirty-faced garbage picker with mismatched shoes, the crusty-eyed child selling facial tissues from car to car and the prepubescent girl who shaves her head to look like a boy so she can beg for money safely on hostile streets.
Currently, Pakistan harbours upwards of 1.6 million displaced Afghans, who build their homes, earn their livelihoods and educate their children on Pakistani soil. Despite growing discontent among local populations about sharing limited resources with an increasingly settled refugee population, Pakistan has decided to continue playing host, recently extending the repatriation deadline for refugees. Meanwhile, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) continues to encourage voluntary repatriation, offering grants of $150 to refugees crossing the border back to Afghanistan.
The repatriation policy potentially exemplifies the classic conundrum of international aid efforts being divorced from grassroots reality. When I spoke to a social worker who uses vocational schemes to provide economic uplift to Karachi’s Afghan refugees, I was able to gauge the actual effectiveness of international humanitarian initiatives. Most of the refugees she serves are unaware of UNHCR’s $150 offer for voluntary repatriation.
Karachi’s refugee population is scattered in bastis around the city. Karachi is a tough and unpitying city even for locals. For the refugees, add to the existing list of problems a language barrier, war trauma, and inability to find proper housing or develop sustainable livelihoods. These refugees don’t need or want the incentive of UNHCR’s charity handout. What they truly covet is schools and safety for their children, sustainable livelihoods, access to medical and legal services and a chance to feel secure in their homeland. Without this, there is no convincing them to cross back into Afghanistan.
So, we need to come to terms with a concrete fact: the Afghan refugees are in Pakistan for the long haul and will most likely soon increase in number. With the upcoming elections in Afghanistan and exit of US troops by 2014, instability and a consequent fresh flow of refugees to Pakistan is highly likely. Pakistan will shortly be under added pressure to provide these fleeing, disempowered people with sanctuary.
We need to start talking solutions.
In the refugee situation, we witness a rare occasion for Pakistan and America to work hand in hand to accomplish something that concretely improves human lives as well as contributes to the best interests of both countries. Yet, humanitarian solutions continue to be put on the back-burner in top-level foreign policy debates. A starving, grieving population is more likely to be caught up in the throes of extremist philosophy than one that is nurtured and healing.
UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon asserts, “The long-term challenges of balancing the economic dimensions of the security transition within the broader Kabul process must be linked to the delivery of real and tangible improvements in the lives of ordinary Afghan citizens.”
The Pakistan and US governments need to put their misunderstandings aside and start working together — the Afghan people deserve the promise of opportunity and a chance to rebuild their broken lives.
Published in The Express Tribune, July 31st, 2013.
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COMMENTS (58)
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afghan refugees are just a pile of burden on Pakistani's economy, there are so many security risks due to illegal immigrants, the commentators here are forgetting that the war imposed by US is the reason that so many refugees fled to Pakistan, US is responsible for the displacement of people and it should itself support the refugees financially that it has failed to do so. and, US is responsible for the creation of Taliban that are killing Pakistanis everyday
@Pukhtoons: muhajir hate afghan refugess in karachi baloch separatist hate afghan refugess in balochistan sindi nationalist hate you and people in punjab azad kashmir hate you EVEN PAKISTANI PASHTUN HATE AFGHAN REFUGESS BECAUSE OF ECONOMICAL REASONS you people should get lost from here even pashtun in parachenar hate you people to much before they kill you from AK-47 get lost to NAJIB and DAWOOD grave heheheheh
@RAW is WAR: they will make there own new pakistan soon or later kashmir,assam,west bangal and heyderbad deccan and kerala will be there country
My proud Pakistani brother, I appreciate your concern don’t worry we will leave soon but it is the governments who have to address this vital issue it. Both government of Pak-Afghan are busy with playing political games and forgot about their citizens. Being in Pakistan for few years I had had good and bad days but I'd rather had spent those days in my beloved country - we have a say in Pashtu "Har chaa ta ekhpel watan Kashmir da! However I appreciate it and had made few friends whom I am in touch with and call each other bahi"
Now in relation to our Pakistani brothers very negative and full of hatred remarks for Afghans in pak I can assure that we would have gone back home back in 90's if Taliban wasn’t created, now how and why they were created I leave it with my Muslim brothers to judge it in this holy month of Ramazan. My Pakistani brothers say Afghanistan has been like this or like that.. but it is difficult for them to accept the facts besides blaming Afghans for the tragedy of Afghanistan. We were the ones and millions of other Afghans who suffered and displaced while Pakistan backed Taliban gov who took Afghanistan a century backward. We will thank our Pakistani brothers and families for being so kind to host us during those times but we would also like to know where their government stands for supporting Taliban.
Pak gov always rejects the idea of controlling taliban which I accept up to a point, initially back in 2003 general musharaf once asked for taliban address from Afghan president when Karzai mentioned that Taliban were living in Pakistan. Now Taliban can get a passport, air ticket and can travel to Arabic countries and nobody is there to explain how is that happening?
If you really don’t want Afghans live there anymore please deport them all BUT including the taliban members whether they are in prison or living freely in cities of Pakistan and we would be grateful and would appreciate this!
I can assure you the Afghan (as per some paki) the burden will be here in pakistan for years until the day that Pak gov maintains a connection with the Taliban regardless of good or bad Taliban and whether it is for good intention or bad. Now looks like public has been unaware of what is happening behind the scene so let’s raise our concerns with the govs otherwise this online fighting will continue - thank you all the best!
To ET: This is the 4 time I am writting it, what is wrong???
Being a proud Pakistani, I believe that the Afghans are our brothers. And I believe even more fervently that its about time my brothers should leave my home and go back and settle in their own!
Shut down shuray queta, and stop doing business with haqani and his sister and brother networks let Afghans build their country I guarantee you that no Afghan is happy to live in a state of failure and waste their energy for vain.. you do the things today we will ask our families from your country tomorrow or you continue doing so we will continue doing our best to repay you back I am sure you can see the signs now!
@Brave Afghan: Does that explain why Afghans want to run away from Afghanistan and live in these countries then?
No, he had a point about grade 5. It's all well to allow 200 Hazaras in 3 million Afghans (including illegals) is another matter. They may form 1% nationally but form a far higher percentage in Peshawar and other cities causing a destabilising effect.
You clearly didn't read my post. Ayub Khan. (1958-1969, President) Yahya Khan. (1969-1971, President) Ghulam Ishaq Khan. (1988-1993, President) And now Imran Khan, and countless other civil service officials and ministers. ... Yes, our linguistic policies are pathetic. But you won't find a single Pakhtun in Pakistan who isn't fluent in his language. What I meant was that while Afghans were busy blowing up the Bamiyan Buddhas (and still are, sadly), Pakistani Pakhtuns such as Naseer and Shahab have brought Pashto music into the 21st century. The Pashto film industry is centered in Peshawar, Pakistan. Attan is kept alive in Pakistan. I'm sure you get it. ... Friend, I want you to ignore the offensive comment calling Afghans akin to "rabid dogs", it was in poor taste. But please recognise that Pakistani Pakhtuns don't want to throw in their lot with Afghanistan, and as it stands, there is no cultural or economic reason to do so. Not a single party or movement in Pakhtunkwa advocates union with Afghanistan or the removal of the Durrand line. 70% of the world's Pakhtuns are satisfied with their nation, Pakistan. ... It is better for Afghans to focus on reconstructing their country and helping create a situation that allows for Afghan refugees to return than daydreaming online. Wouldn't you agree? Cheers.
@ABC.. Are Pakistanis searching Asylum in Israel
Nope they're not. However, they are seeking Asylum in British, the creator of Israel! tough luck hey! Now in relation to Afghan's role in crim i dont think you can campare it with what your pakistani brothers are doing in London and other cities of Europe just click this link below
http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=807_1369627137
http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2013-05-15/uk/392807681vulnerable-girls-victims
@Great Khan:
"Just like Pakistanis dont accept Israel in a similar manner Afghans dont accept any country like Pakistan."
Are Pakistanis searching Asylum in Israel as Afghans doing in Pakistan? If I was a burden on the resources of any other country and was responsible for most of the crimes there, I wouldn't dare to put "Great" in my name!!!
@Pakistan’s Pakhtuns have done significantly more than Afghanistan in protecting Pakhtun language and culture.. @Ali Afghans are savages who should be kept under control like a rabid dog
And what has the government does for them? Force them to learn English, Urdu and Chiness.. but yet they thrive to keep their real identity which has its roots in Afghanistan. Lets not discuss matter of culture casue you will definitely come short there so dont even rais it.
My question was what Have you and your Government has done for those pakhtons, why cant you answer a question correctly, i didnt ask about punjab economy.. you are telling Afghans that they (Pakhtuns) wont go to poor country but I can assure you still we can offer them more than what you have offered them despite using all their resources can you tell me if you can secure a safe place in entire Pakhtunkhwa or Balochestan states!
Someone said Pakistan has given them a lot.. It should give you if you claim to be a citizen of it. Question is Like what? lets compare it with Afghanistan most of our kings are Pashtuns and in pakistan umm any pashtun prime minister or president or king nope its 0.. few army leaders cant make it up my friend wake up!
@Ali.. The whole world know who is the dog that should be controlled otherwise they'll reach every where as they did lately in syria and it is likely to see these dogs in Iraq, egypt and so on.
@Pakistan’s Pakhtuns have done significantly more than Afghanistan in protecting Pakhtun language and culture.. @Ali Afghans are savages who should be kept under control like a rabid dog
And what has the government does for them? Force them to learn English, Urdu and Chiness.. but yet they thrive to keep their real identity which has its roots in Afghanistan. Lets not discuss matter of culture casue you will definitely come short there so dont even rais it.
My question was what Have you and your Government has done for those pakhtons, why cant you answer a question correctly, i didnt ask about punjab economy.. you are telling Afghans that they (Pakhtuns) wont go to poor country but I can assure you still we can offer them more than what you have offered them despite using all their resources can you tell me if you can secure a safe place in entire Pakhtunkhwa or Balochestan states!
Someone said Pakistan has given them a lot.. It should give you if you claim to be a citizen of it. Question is Like what? lets compare it with Afghanistan most of our kings are Pashtuns and in pakistan umm any pashtun prime minister or president or king nope its 0.. few army leaders cant make it up my friend wake up!
@Ali.. The whole world know who is the dog that should be controlled otherwise they'll reach every where as they did lately in syria and it is likely to see these dogs in Iraq, egypt and so on.
@Khan:
Do you need readmission in class 5 to know difference between few thousands and few millions?
You seem to have learnt the basic numbers but I guess you never learnt enough mathematics to learn about Percentages. Afghans make up less than 1% of Pakistani population. And they are Muslims and of the came stock at that.
Now, compare this with Norway As of 2012, an official study shows that 86.2% [5] of the total population have at least one parent who is born in Norway and more than 660 000 individuals (13.2%)[5] are migrants and their descendants; http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DemographicsofNorway
Of the 13% immigrant population about 6.5% is that of Muslims. And as you know, Norway has no claim of being part of the Ummat.
@ET: For you: What was your comment? I want to know
We all are Muslims - Pakistanis and afghans. So stop posting hate comments. We should stop telling our afghan brothers to leave. And some pushtoons should stop calling us their slaves. May ALLAH unite us Muslims. Ameen
For Afghans there are two countries that they see equal in terms of existenc.. 1. Israel 2. Pakistan
@Great Khan: KEEP DREAMING!
Can my Pathan brothers stop thinking that we want to return back to Afghanistan. Provided it's our homeland but Pakistan has given us MUCH MUCH better opportunities. From Ayub Khan to Shahid Khan Afridi to Yunis Khan to Imran Khan to numerous prosperous pathans...Pak has given us alot
Please let them go home. enough is enough.
The big problem facing Pakistan is that the US has routinely attached Afghans for over a decade, and now an untold number of innocent men, women, and children are dead. Additionally, there is no end in sight for the ongoing carnage, which despite false reporting has been stepped up in recent times. If I were an Afghan I would have been out of Afghanistan many years ago, and nothing could ever convince me to go back. The other point to consider is family economics. Once a family becomes established in a specific area it does not wish to be constantly disrupted due to a variety of reasons, and of course cost is one of them. I think Pakistan will have to get used to its refugee problem, which was foisted upon it by the US. This is just one of the huge economic burdens placed upon Pakistan by America. The paltry amount of aid from America would not go close to paying for Pakistan's massive contribution to the ongoing US Afghan war.
@Faraz Kakar: For fairness ET should publish this too. I am surprised that ET allows an Afghani to post rubbish about Pakistanis being slaves when the Afghanis have been slaves of Persians for centuries and still are slaves of India. They may try to twist their refugee life but they should be thankful for help. The difference is that Einstein didn't run away to live on state hand outs and beg in another country. Statistically, most Afghans in Western countries don't work but live on state social assistance or khayrat called "welfare". The Afghanis went to Western countries as asylum seekers and never fully integrate but live on other tax payers money. The Pakistans who go to Western countries go as economic migrants with valid visas after an interview. When they go to Western countries, they work, pay tax and generally contribue to society. This makes all the difference in the world. I can see all the confused hatred of Afghans and Indians commenting here on the site but they need to look at the reality of their existence. They want to live in Pakistan but they want to curse Pakistan too? Maybe they should all move to India and smuggle themselves into other Western countries to claim asylum and live on welfare like the rest of them.
A bundle of belongings is not the only thing a refugee brings to his new country. Einstein was a refugee.
Afghans are savages who should be kept under control like a rabid dog, or you risk losing your peace and security. It sickens me how ungrateful thes e Afghans are and such animosity and hatred that they carry towards Pakistan and its people.
@observer: Do you need readmission in class 5 to know difference between few thousands and few millions?
@Strategic Asset: YES ! you are right. When it suited the strategic interests of Pakistan, the US and Saudia Arabia , refugees were welcomed into Pakistan. It showed that millions voted against the Soviet occupation of Afghanistan with their feet. That was a desirable propaganda advantage.
Now the same refugees ( legal and illegal) are i no position to return home. The Afghan economy can not accept them. rehabilitation is impossible.
Come 2015 , more refugees are likely to flee Afghanistan.
Its good to be realistic : face the facts, please . No need to become emotional.
The English have a saying that you cannot teach an old dog new tricks. Afghans are the way they are. They will never change. Even during the British raj they were involved in all kinds of nefarious activities throughout British India. They were well known for painting their eyes with henna, being involved in money lending and for brutal punishments if the borrower cannot pay. The Russians left nearly 25 years ago. It is time they leave.
Grow up. Please.
Instead of thanking Pakistan, all these Afghans are calling us slaves and saying this land is theirs. They're like unwashed squatters who occupy your home and then refuse to leave. They need the boot. Get out! Get!
We are proud Pakistani pakhtoons and we don't have to give any explanation to anyone , cuz we exist - Pakistan exist !!!!!!!
@Ali Tanoli -"We were Pakistani, we are Pakistani, we will be Pakistani until the day of judgment come."
Does this mean you never were, you are not and you would no longer be a Muslim on DOJ.
Also, you forget that Pakistan's Pakhtuns have done significantly more than Afghanistan in protecting Pakhtun language and culture. Please YouTube search Naseer and Shahab. The day you produce such modern Pashto music, we'll talk.
While Pakhtunkwa remains underdeveloped with regards to Punjab, at 15% of the Pakistan economy of $551 billion, it still has a larger per capita income and economy than the whole of Afghanistan. There is a reason there are Afghan refugees in Pakhtunkwa and not the other way around. ... Pakhtuns such as Yahya Khan, Ghulam Ishaq Khan and now Imran Khan have been at the forefront of Pakistani politics. Pakhtuns have voted for the Muslim League (twice), Pakistan People's Party (twice) MMA (once) and now the Pakistan Tehreek e Insaaf. Pakhtuns have headed the military numerous times, Musharraf's predecessor was Pakhtun as is Kayani's successor likely to be. ... The Tehreek e Taliban Pakistan (PAKISTAN) are ideological bigots who's terror runs from KPK to Southern Punjab and even Karachi. It's not a Pakhtun "liberation movement" and they've never talked about erasing the Durrand line but setting up a sharia state in PAKISTAN. ... Et: how could you allow a pro Taliban comment? Please allow me to respond to this defender of terorists. As someone who's lived through Taliban bomb blasts, I'm shocked.
@Timour half a million urdu speaking pakistani stranded in bangladesh in refugee camp for the last 42 years. urdu speaking stranded pakistanis worked with pakistan army in killing bengalis and againist bengali fighters. after pakistan army surrender these people were thrown into abject misery.why u are not taking u r own people leaving them to die. please take all the stranded pakistani back.
You refered to Afghanistan pile of... tell me honestly what have you given those people, let me remind you that Khyber Pakhtonkhwa is the least developed state of Pakistan as well as Balochestan. Did you know the reason why is it left behind umm maybe your politicians will hand it over to Afghan, of course you dont know then I suggest you go and find out the reason behind it.
I am amazed how you pakiz ignore the libration movements in Balochestan and in Pakhtunkhwa areas and always accuse Afghans, I wil offer you the Tahreek e Taliban as an example of Libration movement, of course you people condemn them and try to eredcate them but the fact is they are a nation, maybe you need to go to youtube and see it yourself what they want and how much they are intereseted to stay with you guys.
You think you are representing those Pakhtuns but can you tell me when was last time that you went to the other side of Durand line? Did you actually ask one of them in reality what they want?
@you should offer them more than a pile of dirty rocks and call it “Loy Afghanistan”,
I think you didnt get what i meant, that is okay I will explain it in plain English cause you wont know pashto.
You refered to Afghanistan pile of... tell me honestly what have you given those people, let me remind you that Khyber Pakhtonkhwa is the least developed state of Pakistan as well as Balochestan. Did you know the reason why is it left behind umm maybe your politicians will hand it over to Afghan, of course you dont know then I suggest you go and find out the reason behind it.
I am amazed how you pakiz ignore the libration movements in Balochestan and in Pakhtunkhwa areas and always accuse Afghans, I wil offer you the Tahreek e Taliban as an example of Libration movement, of course you people condemn them and try to eredcate them but the fact is they are a nation, maybe you need to go to youtube and see it yourself what they want and how much they are intereseted to stay with you guys.
You think you are representing those Pakhtuns but can you tell me when was last time that you went to the other side of Durand line? Did you actually ask one of them in reality what they want?
Indians, as has been pointed out earlier, if you're so adamant about Afghan refugees staying on and don't recognise the Durrand line, please hand Arunachal to China as they drew up the McMohan line too. Anyway bringing up Pakistani asylum seekers or Indian Muslims is deflection and kindly let us Pakistanis discuss this internal affair. .... Kabul-Zad, exactly, Afghanistan has been at war for 4 decades. My point in quoting those statistics was (if you'd read facts 4-10), that Afghanistan would never have needed to ally/been invaded/destroyed by the USSR if not for its hostility over the Pashtunistan issue. ... Therefore those pitiful statistics are proof that instead of telling our Pakhtuns your illusions of grandeur, you should offer them more than a pile of dirty rocks and call it "Loy Afghanistan", it's time to build, move forward and develop, and accept that Pakistan's Pakhtuns have never shown nor are they likely to turn against Pakistan or start liking the refugees.
Dear writer, though the article is well thought out and covers most aspects of the Afghan refugee situation, there are few shortcomings. Firstly, one very important aspect that has been over looked is the flow of drugs and ammunition that has filtered onto the streets of Pakistan by these refugees. This is something that has had a profound impact on our society since we opened our doors back in the 70's. Secondly, you have concluded without any concrete solutions to the problem. Simply stating that the US and Pakistan need to work together is inconclusive. To other commentators, I would like to say that sometimes it’s best to leave "History" behind and move ahead with measures that can achieve sustainable peace and prosperity for both nations. Taking care of people of war torn countries is/should be every nations duty, however it must be done keeping in mind financial constraints and in a way that does not infringe on their sovereignty.
sometimes I see pakistanis compare Afghanistan economy, litracy and ... with pakistan. I am not sure why you are so obsessed with it, comparing your country with Afghanistan knowing that Afghanistan has had almost 4 decades of conflicts, if you are brave enough why dont you compare it with India the twin brother of pakistan!
What disturbs me, however, is the absence of one critical issue from grander schemes on how to deal with Afghanistan and Pakistan — the refugees.
Deal with them the same way that the World deals with refugees from Pakistan. When Pakistani Ahmadis, Hazras, Christians, Hindus or even Muslims arrive in UK, Canada, Australia, Germany, Norway even in India, they are given asylum and full citizenship. After nearly 3 decades, that is what the Afghan refugees in Pakistan deserve too.
What about the 150 million Muslim refugees in India. When will Pakistan take them back?
@Great Khan: Well Said !
@ Great Khan and Pukhtoons, Unfortunately we Muslims has been living the past and the reality is what we are today, we have not contributed any thing of special value to the human kind for the last 200 years, it is the Western Countries which has surpassed us in economics, technology and military power. Stop living in the past and look around you the misery surrounds the whole nation of Afghanistan, when you invite foreigners then they occupy you, first it was Russians and now the Americans. The fact is Pukhtuns like myself from Mardan will never agree to be ruled by people who can't even rule themselves. There may be million faults lie in Pakistani culture specially in KP but there has been progress, one has to look around the capital city of Peshawar and it's educational institutions, people of KP has excelled in many fields and still trying to do the best under the circumstances. I will suggest you to get off your high horse and see the reality which prevails in your country Afghanistan. East Germany joined West Germany because West Germany offered much more than East Germany could. It seems that North Korea will join South Korea eventually and not vice verse. Don't forget that this day dreaming will not take you any where but disaster and occupation by other nations.By the way the real Pukhtuns spell Pukhtuns like we do and not Pukhtoons, why do I smell some Indian trolls writing this hateful comments.
At the time, Pakistan's support for the freedom fighters battling against a ruthless and barbaric invasion force from Russia was appreciated and applauded across Afghanistan. ... The exodus actually began when the Soviets invaded in 1979, the Mujahideen movement only picked up a few years afterwards. The Soviets butchered, slaughtered and rode roughshod over average Afghans. ... Regardless, your factually incorrect comment offers no opinion as to the "now". I was born after the refugees were already here and would like a solution. The author has tried her best to offer an unbiased opinion but I believe in full repatriation to ensure Pakistan's security and economic progress. This is opposed by most Pakistanis on the basis of Pan Islamism, but to move ahead, we will have to send them back. ... Anyway I feel you should read up further on the exodus. And also why Pakistan supported the Mujahideen (refer to earlier comments) Regards, PS Author: I've read your article thoroughly now. You've put a lot of research into this and I appreciate the time and quality of your work. Please continue writing.
@Strategic Asset:
Afghanistan has a history of torment political behavior.
In 1978 PDPA Communist takeover wiped President’s Daud family and govt. Trouble started there and then. Many skirmishes of major / minor in nature going on and off in Armed Forces of Afghanistan and different parts of the country at that time. Small number of refugees took asylum in Pakistan from 1975 till 1979.
But the water reached is boiling point when Soviets finally invaded in December 1979. The Second quarter of 1980 saw 25,000 refugees crossing into Pakistan mainly from eastern provinces of Afghanistan and then the ball gets rolling ever since. Anyone can easily verify the exact number of UNHCR Pakistan Office for Stats.
PS. Even some refugees from Iran come to Pakistan during Iran Iraq war. But now mostly all of them either gone back to Iran or settled abroad.
Regards,
@Strategic Asset:
Afghanistan has a history of torment political behavior.
In 1978 PDPA Communist takeover wiped President’s Daud family and govt. Trouble started there and then. Many skirmishes of major / minor in nature going on and off in Armed Forces of Afghanistan and different parts of the country at that time. Small number of refugees took asylum in Pakistan from 1975 till 1979.
But the water reached is boiling point when Soviets finally invaded in December 1979. The Second quarter of 1980 saw 25,000 refugees crossing into Pakistan mainly from eastern provinces of Afghanistan and then the ball gets rolling ever since. Anyone can easily verify the exact stats of refugees arrival / departure from UNHCR Pakistan Office.
PS. Even small proportion refugees from Iran came to Pakistan during Iran Iraq war. But now mostly all of them either gone back to Iran or settled abroad.
Regards,
We were Pakistani, we are Pakistani, we will be Pakistani until the day of judgment come.
You have let someone refer to 180 million people and their forefathers as "slaves". Either publish my reply to Great Khan and Pakhtuns or remove Pakhtuns comment. Kind regards.
What should Pakistan do with its Afghan refugees? . Perhaps you should have thought about it in 1980 when arming, training and financing the mujahideen in Afghanistan and thereby causing a mass exodus of 3 million Afghans, of whom 40% were their intelligentsia and landed class including doctors, to Peshawar?
The written article shows that the writer has genuine concern for the Afghan refugees but failed to grasp some crude facts before writing the article.
What difference does Pakistan has with US about Afghan refugees ??? Pakistan recently extended the deadline till 2015. It is the failure of largely Afghan Govt that by far receiving aid from almost all of the world they did not eradicate corruption, nepotism and develop sense of security among Afghans. US is partly blame for that because it was / is keep tolerating the Afghan Govt while posing all kinds of non sense barriers for Pak Coalition Support Fund.
Many Afghans which I personally knew are very happy in living Pakistan, only when they get EU / US / Canada / Australian citizenship then they become true Afghans and start blaming Pakistan for all the ills in their country, but not all Afghans does the same, in-fact some of them even admire Pakistan.
Pakistan becomes Pakistan when in 1947 refugees came to build Pakistan with New Zeal and local population welcomes them with open hearts. The PIB Colony (Pir Ilahi Buksh Colony) in Karachi is the prime example of this unfaltering affection from which Dr. Abdul Farooq Sattar of MQM belongs to.
I can go on and on the subject. But the punch line is this. Afghans no matter what creed or ideology must LEARN to TOLERATE and LIVE among themselves otherwise no amount of external force or aid can glue them together.
Regards,
While it is very easy to gloat, sitting in the West, on the Internet, about a race (Pakistani Pakhtuns) who want nothing to do with you or your country, it is much harder to face the facts. Just as Pakistan's Kashmir obsession has ruined it, so too has Afghanistan's obsession with annexing parts of Pakistan. Let me make it easy for you. ... Fact 1 : Afghanistan's literacy rate is 28%. Pakistan's is 60%. Fact 2 : Afghanistan's per capita income is $600. Pakistan's is $1,500 Fact 3: Afghanistan's GDP is $33 billion. Pakistan's is $551 billion (ET: Cross check from Wikipedia - approximations used) .. Fact 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10: If your country had focused on DEVELOPMENT, rather than subjecting Pakistan to border raids and threats, you wouldn't have had to ally with the USSR. Your country wouldn't have been reduced to rubble, and we'd (Pakistan) not have supported the Afghan Mujahideen, who later morphed into the Taliban ... It's not too late. Build up your nation through education, health facilities, infrastructure. And if you need a reality check, please come here to Peshawar and ask the man on the ground how much he loves Pakistan. PS ET, Pakhtun's comment calling us slaves, doesn't it violate your comment rules?
For us to understand what to do with Afghan refugees, we must understand why they are here. (ET please allow the edit with highlighted portions) ... In 1893, Afghanistan's Emir signed away 70% of his kingdom's Pashtun population to the British Raj. In 1948, Afghanistan rejected the "Durrand line" and demanded the land back. Border incursions built up throughout the 1950's and culminated in the Bajaur incursion of 1962, when a small scale Afghan invasion of Pakistan was driven back by local Pakistani Pakhtuns. ... Pakistan's Pakhtuns have never shown any desire to join Afghanistan. Mainstream Pashtun nationalist parties such as the ANP have even disavowed the idea, as Pakistani Pakhtuns have integrated into Pakistan's bureaucracy and military, voting for national parties and becoming fervently Pakistani. ... Afghanistan allied itself to the USSR as a counterbalance to US allied Pakistan. This led to the Soviet invasion and destruction of Afghanistan. Afghanistan's obsession with undoing the Durrand line had led to its utter devastation. The British drew many borders, including the McMohan line dividing Indian Arunachal Pradesh and China. ... Despite seeing Pakistani Pakhtuns apathy towards their ravaged state, some Afghans continue to claim it is the right of Afghans to live in Pakistan, while they can't even accept Tajik, Uzbek or Hazara as true Afghans. The answer is to stop pussyfooting and remove this element from Pakistan through mass repatriation. ... The first to line up for this will the Pakistani Paktuns, who have excelled in business and culture in Pakistan, losing jobs to the Afghan who insults his nation. Pakhtuns have more to gain from an economy of $500 billion than one of hardly $30 billion (fact - check wikipedia) ... So, author, you too should support the repatriation of this fifth column (IN A HUMANE FASHION). We owe them nothing. They owe us gratitude.
For us to understand what to do with Afghan refugees, we must understand why they are here. ... In 1893, Afghanistan's Emir signed away 70% of his kingdom's Pashtun population to the British Raj. In 1948, Afghanistan rejected the "Durrand line" and demanded the land back. Border incursions built up throughout the 1950's and culminated in the Bajaur incursion of 1962, when a small scale Afghan invasion of Pakistan was driven back by local Pakistani Pakhtuns. ... Pakistan's Pakhtuns have never shown any desire to join Afghanistan. Mainstream Pashtun nationalist parties such as the ANP have even disavowed the idea, as Pakistani Pakhtuns have integrated into Pakistan's bureaucracy and military, voting for national parties and becoming fervently Pakistani. ... Afghanistan allied itself to the USSR as a counterbalance to US allied Pakistan. This led to the Soviet invasion and destruction of Afghanistan. Afghanistan's obsession with undoing the Durrand line had led to its utter devastation. The British drew many borders, including the McMohan line dividing Indian Arunachal Pradesh and China. ... Despite seeing Pakistani Pakhtuns apathy towards their ravaged state, some Afghans continue to claim it is the right of Afghans to live in Pakistan, while they can't even accept Tajik, Uzbek or Hazara as true Afghans. The answer is to stop pussyfooting and remove this element from Pakistan through mass repatriation. ... The first to line up for this will the Pakistani Paktuns, who have excelled in business and culture in Pakistan, losing jobs to the Afghan who insults his nation. Pakhtuns have more to gain from an economy of $500 billion than one of hardly $30 billion (fact - check wikipedia) ... So, author, you too should support the repatriation of this fifth column (IN A HUMANE FASHION). We owe them nothing. They owe us gratitude.
As a Pakistani, I'm strongly against keeping the Afghan refugees here any longer. They are a strain on our (limited) resources, a threat to our (already poor) security and have zero value addition in any area. I'm strongly for deporting them now while the Americans are there so that they are rehabilitated while some semblance of a government exists. While this may sound harsh, even developing countries are now taking extreme measures to keep illegal immigrants out and find and deport the ones already within their borders and Pakistan should certainly be doing the same. I'd welcome them with open arms when they come as tourists or genuine job seekers with proper work permits, but not otherwise !
Are all the Afghans in Pakistan actually refugees or are many of them simply economic migrants just as Pakistanis are economic migrants in KSA, UAE, UK, Canada, US etc.