Afghan Refugees in Pakistan.

Byline: Tang Jun

Pakistan and Afghanistan are two important countries in south Asia. These two states internal situation has a great effect on each other domestic security situation. Instability in Afghanistan has had a negative effect on Pakistan's domestic security scenario. Along with numerous factors, Afghan refugees have also become a key factor in formulating Pakistan Afghanistan policy. After the invasion of Soviet Union in Afghanistan in 1979, many refugees came in Pakistan to take asylum.

Afghan refugees are present in more than 70 countries, 95% are hosted by Pakistan. Afghanistan continues to face formidable challenges in addressing the needs of its refugee's population. Increasing tensions between Afghanistan and Pakistan with deteriorating security conditions within the country have dampened initial enthusiasm of the refugee's home coming. Afghanistan continues to face one of the world largest refugee crises and the protracted refugee situation under the UNHCR mandate. Salvatore Lombardo, the United Nations high commissioner for refugees (UNHCR) country representative in Afghanistan, says "a more challenging situation lies ahead for the Kabul government and international agencies seeking the re-integration of refugee population both within and outside Afghanistan".

History of Afghan Migration

The beginning of Afghan refugee migration to Pakistan is generally traced to the end of the 1970s. Before 1970,s Afghans have migrated across the borders for social issue or to meet their families, trade, in search of work, to escape poverty and drought.

As a result of internal conflict, large number of Afghans fled to the neighboring countries. Major phases of conflict and forced displacement are the result of communist coup led by Marxist Leninist people's Democratic Party in April 1979. As a result of Jihad, insecurity and conflict, some 600,000 Afghans fled to Pakistan by the end of 1979. The next phase from 1979 to 1989 is known for union Invasion, by this two million Afghans crossed the border to Iran, 3.2 million Afghans moved to Pakistan and 10000 to European countries. Camps were established in Pakistan and Iran to house migrants from Afghanistan with the help of UNHCR and other organizations. Due to increase in number of refugees, Pakistani people developed the sense of hostility. Later, the continued civil war between different groups of mujahidin seeking power resulted internal displacement. At about 1.4 million Afghans returned to Afghanistan under repatriation efforts in 1992.

Instability, conflict and failure of mujaihidin to establish a government led to out flow of more Afghans. In this time period when Taliban gained control of the state more displacement occurred. About 7000,000 refugees fled to Pakistan and Iran due to the humanitarian abuses, discriminative policies, bias against non pashtons and extreme Islamic policies. The terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001and Taliban and US led intervention during 1996 to 2002 increased forced displacement. In that year 172,000 refugees took asylum in Pakistan and Iran. The period from 2002 to 2006 is relatively stable due to some stability provided by the government of hamis karzai. With the efforts of UNHCR, large number of refugees returned to Afghanistan in repatriation process. From 2006 till present, increased conflict, insecurity, natural disasters and limited opportunities in Afghanistan resulted uncertainty in returnees.

Afghans in Pakistan and Internal Security Dilemma

After the soviet invasion of Afghanistan 30 years before in 1979, afghan refugees became the 2ns largest group in the world. About 2.1 million afghan refugees were displaced in 2006.the secular Saur Revolution of 1978 threatened Muslim traditions and caused Afghanis movement to the neighboring countries. With the soviet invasion of 1979/89, continues civil war and the US invasion in Afghanistan in 2001...