A Heartfelt Bond: Exploring The Presence Of Pakistanis In Afghanistan

Pakistan and Afghanistan share a porous border and a distributed population of ethnic Pashtuns and Baloch people, so there has been a constant flow of population between the two countries. Pakistan is home to over 4 million Afghan migrants and refugees, about 1.7 million of whom are undocumented. Afghans have been migrating back and forth between Afghanistan and what is now Pakistan since at least the 10th century. In recent times, the Pakistani government has admitted Afghans as refugees since the Soviet-Afghan War in 1979. Since 2001, many have returned to Afghanistan, but the number and presence of Afghan refugees in Pakistani cities remain considerable. As of 2015, around 221,432 Pakistanis were found living in Afghanistan.

The expulsion of Afghan refugees from Pakistan

Overview

Pakistan has long been a place of refuge for Afghans fleeing conflict and instability in their homeland. However, in recent years, the Pakistani government has taken a harder line on Afghan refugees, citing security concerns and economic strain as justification for its increasingly stringent policies. This shift has led to the expulsion of hundreds of thousands of Afghan refugees, many of whom have lived in Pakistan for decades and have never even set foot in Afghanistan. The expulsions have sparked condemnation from human rights organizations and the United Nations, who argue that Pakistan is violating its international legal obligations and putting refugees at risk of persecution and violence.

Background

The history of Afghan refugees in Pakistan stretches back decades, with significant waves of displacement occurring in the 1980s during the Soviet-Afghan War and again in the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks and the Taliban takeover of Kabul in 2021. Over the years, Pakistan has provided refuge to millions of Afghans, but the presence of such a large refugee population has also created tensions and challenges.

The Expulsion Policy

In October 2023, the Pakistani government announced its intention to expel all unregistered foreigners, primarily targeting Afghan refugees. The government claimed that the measure was necessary to combat terrorism and improve security in the country. The policy took effect on November 1, 2023, and since then, hundreds of thousands of Afghans have been forced to leave Pakistan. The government has defended its actions by arguing that a significant portion of those involved in criminal and terrorist activities are among the undocumented immigrants. However, human rights organizations have criticized the expulsions as unlawful and inhumane, arguing that they put refugees at risk of persecution and violence in Afghanistan, which is currently ruled by the Taliban.

Impact on Refugees

The impact of the expulsions on Afghan refugees has been devastating. Many have been abruptly uprooted from the only home they have ever known, forced to leave behind businesses and possessions. Others have been torn from their families, with those lacking proper documentation being deported while their family members with legal residency remain in Pakistan. The journey back to Afghanistan can be treacherous and expensive, and upon arrival, many refugees face uncertainty and hardship. The influx of returnees has also placed a strain on Afghanistan's already limited resources, exacerbating the ongoing humanitarian crisis in the country.

International Reactions

The expulsions have sparked widespread criticism from the international community, including the United Nations, human rights organizations, and the United States. They argue that Pakistan is violating international human rights norms and failing to uphold its obligations under the United Nations Convention Against Torture and the principle of non-refoulement, which prohibits returning refugees to a country where they face a risk of persecution or torture. Despite these appeals, Pakistan has largely proceeded with the expulsions, creating a humanitarian crisis that has left hundreds of thousands of Afghans stranded and vulnerable.

The history of migration between Afghanistan and Pakistan

Afghans and Pakistanis have been migrating between the two countries for centuries. The migration picked up in the 1970s, with the rise of the communist People's Democratic Party of Afghanistan (PDPA) and the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan.

The Soviet-Afghan War:

The Soviet invasion of Afghanistan in 1979 led to a massive humanitarian crisis, with over four million Afghans seeking refuge in Pakistan by the end of the war in 1988. The Pakistani government began admitting Afghans after the start of the war, and by the end of 2001, there were over four million Afghan refugees in the country. The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) aided these refugees, with funding from the US government. The refugees were housed in 340 camps along the Afghan-Pakistan border in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Post-9/11:

After the 9/11 attacks, the US invaded Afghanistan and overthrew the Taliban government. This triggered another wave of migration, with Afghans fleeing the country due to the ongoing conflict and deteriorating security situation. Pakistan continued to accept these refugees, but the attitude towards them began to change. Over time, the Pakistani government and its citizens started blaming the refugees for various issues in the country, including terrorism, unemployment, and disease. There were also instances of harassment, human rights abuses, and mass arrests of Afghans by Pakistani authorities.

Recent Developments:

In recent years, the Pakistani government has taken a harder stance on Afghan refugees, with frequent crackdowns on undocumented migrants. In 2023, the government announced a plan to evict all illegal immigrants, including Afghan nationals. This decision has been criticized by human rights groups and the Taliban government in Afghanistan. As of October 2023, the United Nations estimates that nearly 3.7 million Afghans reside in Pakistan, with Pakistani authorities putting the number at around 4.4 million. The Pakistani government claims that Afghan nationals are responsible for a recent spike in attacks by armed groups, particularly the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).

The demographics of Pakistanis in Afghanistan

Pakistan and Afghanistan share a 1510-mile border and a history of migration between the two countries. The majority of Pakistanis in Afghanistan are refugees, but they also include laborers, traders, business people, and a small number of diplomats. The number of Pakistanis in Afghanistan is difficult to determine due to the constant flow of population between the two countries and the lack of official records. However, as of 2015, around 221,432 Pakistanis were living in Afghanistan, with the majority in Khost Province and Paktika Province.

The history of migration between Afghanistan and Pakistan dates back centuries, with dynasties such as the Delhi Sultanate and the Mughals invading and migrating to Afghanistan. In more recent history, the Soviet-Afghan War in the 1980s caused a large number of Afghans to seek refuge in Pakistan, with an estimated 5 million Afghans living there at one time. Since the removal of the Taliban regime in late 2001, members of the Taliban have regrouped and started an insurgency campaign inside Afghanistan, with a small number of Pakistanis among their ranks.

In addition to refugees, there are Pakistani expatriates in Afghanistan who have been involved in the country's reconstruction and have contributed to the Afghan economy. By 2006, there were about 60,000 Pakistanis working in Afghanistan, with many working in the construction sector or white-collar jobs such as information technology professionals.

In recent years, there has been a crackdown on undocumented refugees and migrants in Pakistan, with the government ordering the expulsion of nearly 1.7 million Afghans. This has led to a sense of fear and anxiety among the Afghan community, with families being separated and even those with valid documentation feeling compelled to leave.

The role of Pakistan in the US-led War on Terror

Pakistan's role in the US-led War on Terror has been a highly ambivalent and widely discussed topic among policymakers and analysts worldwide. On the one hand, Pakistan has been accused of harbouring and aiding terrorists, including the Taliban and al-Qaeda. It has provided safe havens for radical Islamist movements and blocked Taliban peace efforts with the US-backed Afghan government. Pakistan's security services have also been accused of planning terrorist attacks in India, including the 2006 Mumbai train bombings.

However, Pakistan has also received commendation for its anti-terror efforts, arresting high-ranking al-Qaeda members, such as Zayn al-Abidn Muhammed Hasayn Abu Zubaydah and Khalid Shaikh Mohammed, who was the third-highest-ranking member of al-Qaeda. Pakistan has also hosted millions of Afghan refugees since 2001 and permitted the transit of matériel for US forces in Afghanistan.

The relationship between the US and Pakistan during the War on Terror has been strained, with the US increasing military aid to Pakistan post-9/11, but also demanding that Pakistan take decisive action against terrorist groups. Pakistan, on the other hand, has demanded that the US acknowledge its sacrifices in the war and treat it as an equal ally. The two countries have historically had a transactional relationship, with the US paying Pakistan for its cooperation. Pakistan's primary concern has been its rivalry with India, particularly over the disputed region of Kashmir, and it has sought to maintain influence in Afghanistan to counter Indian influence.

The War on Terror has had adverse effects for Pakistan, with the rise of a Pakistani Taliban movement and other radical Islamist forces within the country. Pakistan's leadership has struggled to balance its support for the US with domestic pressures to support Islamist groups, and its policy has been characterised as supporting the US against the Taliban while simultaneously supporting the Taliban against the US. This has frustrated US efforts in Afghanistan and contributed to the rise of Islamist threats inside Pakistan.

The impact of the Taliban takeover on Afghan refugees

The Taliban takeover of Afghanistan in August 2021 has had a profound impact on the country's refugees, with hundreds of thousands of Afghans fleeing their homes and seeking refuge in other countries. This has added to the existing refugee crisis, with Afghanistan already having one of the largest displaced populations in the world. The neighbouring countries of Pakistan and Iran have been the most affected by the refugee crisis, with Pakistan hosting the largest number of Afghan refugees.

The Taliban takeover has triggered fears among Afghans about their future under the Taliban rule, with concerns about human rights violations, particularly regarding women's and girls' rights, and a rollback of civil liberties. The economic situation in Afghanistan has also deteriorated, with limited job opportunities and declining financial support. These factors have contributed to the increase in refugees seeking asylum in other countries.

The mass expulsion of Afghan refugees from Pakistan has raised concerns among human rights organisations such as Amnesty International. Pakistan has been accused of detaining, harassing, and deporting Afghan refugees, including those with valid documentation. There have been reports of refugees being held in detention centres without legal rights and families being separated. Afghan refugees in Pakistan have expressed fear and anxiety about their situation, with many facing the risk of deportation to a country facing political and humanitarian crises.

The formation of an inclusive government and respect for human rights, particularly women's rights, by the Taliban will be crucial in determining the future of Afghanistan and the refugee crisis. External pressures and negotiations with opposition forces could lead to a more stable government and prevent large-scale displacement of civilians. However, the inability to form an inclusive government and ongoing economic and humanitarian crises will likely result in continued refugee outflows, primarily to neighbouring countries.

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