Modus Operandi on Repatriation of Afghan Refugees: A New Wave Towards Peace in Pakistan

Abstract

Pakistan had a long historical background as a host country for Afghan refugees from the 1970s Soviet-Afghan to after the US withdrawal from Afghanistan. Pakistan has been a host to one of the largest refugee populations in the world, with millions of Afghan refugees living in the country for decades. With the passage of time, Pakistan is facing security threats internal as well as external. So, the presence of millions of Afghan refugees in Pakistan has been questioned by a number of Pakistanis. They are considered a huge burden on the economy, environment and infrastructure of the country. At the time of NATO withdrawal from Afghanistan, Several countries and international organizations were involved in efforts to evacuate Afghan refugees and provide them with safe haven. Pakistan has also provided them shelter. Now the government of Pakistan warned and ordered forced repatriation to Afghanistan by October 2023. It planned for 1.73 million illegal Afghan people who are living without any documents. The study finds the problem of Afghan refugees in Pakistan is a social, economic and political threat to the country. However, a great deal of repatriation is another wave towards peace after the decision.