Powerful Case for Repatriation: Why Afghan Refugees Must Return for a Stronger Pakistan and Afghanistan

Afghan refugees : Time to Rebuild Lives Back Home

The presence of Afghan refugees in Pakistan, once a humanitarian necessity, has now evolved into a pressing socio-political issue. As of April 2025, Pakistan has repatriated over 900,000 Afghan refugees under its deportation policy aimed at undocumented foreign nationals. The government has asked all “illegal foreigners” and holders of Afghan Citizen Cards to leave by March 31, 2025, or face forced deportation. While this move has stirred public debate, facts and historical context reveal that repatriation is not only justified but essential for the prosperity of both Pakistan and Afghanistan.

Historical Background of Afghan Refugees in Pakistan

The Afghan refugee influx into Pakistan began in 1979 following the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan. Over the years, political unrest, civil wars, and Taliban rule led to multiple waves of migration. By the 1990s, over 3 million Afghan refugees were residing in Pakistan, primarily in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Balochistan, and urban centers like Karachi.

In 2002, Pakistan began voluntary repatriation efforts in coordination with the UNHCR, which saw over 5.3 million Afghans return home. However, nearly 1.4 million registered and hundreds of thousands of unregistered Afghans remained. Many established businesses and families, but a significant proportion remained undocumented and outside regulatory frameworks.

Pakistan’s Concerns: A Strain on Economy and Security

The prolonged stay of Afghan refugees has had multifaceted implications:

• Economic Burden: Refugees have contributed to informal labor markets, often displacing local labor and putting pressure on limited resources like housing, education, and healthcare.
• Security Threats: According to Pakistan’s interior ministry, a number of terrorist attacks have been traced back to groups operating from Afghanistan or involving Afghan nationals.
• Illegal Activities: Unregistered migrants often bypass laws, complicating internal security. Police have reported increasing incidents of smuggling, drug trafficking, and document fraud linked to undocumented Afghan nationals.

Mixed Reactions Within Pakistan for Afghan Refugees

The move has divided public opinion. Some citizens like Pervaiz Akhtar, a teacher from Islamabad, supported the government’s stance:

“They make their living here, but are against us. Terrorism is being carried out from there [Afghanistan], so it is justified that they leave.”

However, others like Rubab Iffat, a 19-year-old student, view the expulsion as inhumane:

“They have been living here for a long time. Their home is here now, their children are studying here.”

These sentiments highlight the emotional and ethical complexity of the issue. Still, national security and sustainable economic policies must take precedence.

Repatriation of Afghan Refugees : A Step Toward Stability in Afghanistan

Afghanistan now has a unique opportunity to reintegrate its citizens and rebuild its workforce. Returnees bring with them skills, trade experience, and cultural exposure that can contribute positively to Afghan society. International donors and the Afghan government must step up support in providing infrastructure, jobs, and social integration programs.

The Role of International Community

Pakistan has housed Afghan refugees for over four decades without consistent international support. Now, the UNHCR and global humanitarian organizations must shift focus to Afghanistan’s rehabilitation. Donor fatigue must be addressed by restructuring aid to support reintegration efforts inside Afghanistan instead of prolonging exile in Pakistan.

A Way Forward: Dignified and Phased Repatriation

To ensure this policy remains just and humane, Pakistan should:

• Allow voluntary repatriation where possible.
• Coordinate with UN agencies for transitional support.
• Provide safe corridors and rehabilitation packages.
• Establish temporary holding centers with dignity and medical support.

At the same time, Afghanistan should:

• Create reception programs for skilled and unskilled workers.
• Promote community reintegration.
• Offer legal frameworks for returned citizens.

What Afghan Migrants Say

At a holding center near Chaman, 35-year-old Ismail, who had worked in Pakistan for a decade, said:

“I had a stable job, I had found stability. Then the government told us we had to leave.”

Another deportee, Ghulam Hazrat, complained of harassment before his departure:

“We were harassed every day. They didn’t even spare us on the streets and threw us straight into jail.”

These are indeed heartbreaking stories, but they reflect the unintended consequences of a prolonged and unmanaged refugee crisis. Repatriation, if done right, can transform these hardships into hope.

Conclusion: A Bold Yet Necessary Decision

The time has come for a well-structured, humane, and internationally supported repatriation of Afghan refugees. Pakistan must prioritize national interest and long-term sustainability, while Afghanistan must rise to the challenge of welcoming its people home. This is not an expulsion. It is a call for renewal.

Additional Information

You may also like to see:

• Pakistani Actress Saba Qamar with UNICEF
• UAE Visa for Pakistani
• The Role of Smuggling Mafia and Pakistan Government Responsibility
• UNHCR Official Afghanistan Situation
• Government of Pakistan Interior Ministry