ISLAMABAD: Afghan families seeking to move to the US and other Western countries under refugee resettlement programmes sit outside the National Press Club on Saturday.—Photo by Tanveer Shahzad/White Star. Appeared in the Dawn.
by Arooba Hamid 20 February 2023
Pakistan has a long history of hosting Afghan refugees. The Government of Pakistan has repeatedly stated its commitment to continue to host them with dignity and honor. According to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), there are currently over 1.35 million registered Afghan refugees in Pakistan. The support and protection extended to Afghan refugees in Pakistan exemplify the warmth, friendliness, and sympathy of the Pakistani people towards their Afghan brothers and neighbors. Over the years, Pakistan has welcomed Afghan refugees and provided them with opportunities to grow independently, pursue education, start businesses, and move freely across the country, just like Pakistani citizens. This was the case even for refugees suspected of being involved in unlawful activities, demonstrating the country’s commitment to providing a dignified life to all refugees.
A joint exercise by Pakistan and the UNHCR to document and register all Afghan refugees under the Proof of Registration Cards (PoR) scheme was undertaken in 2006. The goal was to create a comprehensive record of the identities and addresses of refugees in order to address their vulnerabilities and difficulties effectively. This involved the development of an efficient and accurate database for storing this information. In February 2018, Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan announced a new policy to provide legal documentation, including passports and ID cards, to Afghan refugees in the country. It was aimed at providing greater access to services and employment opportunities, and benefiting more than 2.5 million registered and unregistered Afghan refugees in Pakistan.
In February 2023, the UNHCR and the Government of Pakistan launched a one-time cash assistance scheme to provide support to Afghan refugees who were affected by the floods and other environmental challenges in 2022. The program is aimed at providing financial assistance to 1.3 million Afghan refugees in Pakistan to help them deal with the impact of the floods and the prevailing economic situation. The recent floods in Pakistan have caused widespread damage and devastation, affecting millions of people across the country, including Afghan refugees living in the country. The floods have disrupted lives, destroyed homes, and caused the loss of livelihoods for many people. The one-time cash assistance scheme is intended to help provide relief to those affected by the floods and to help them get back on their feet. Under the program, Afghan refugee families in Pakistan will receive a one-time cash grant of Rs. 12,000 (approximately $75) to help them meet their immediate needs.
The launch of this program is an important step in supporting Afghan refugees in Pakistan, who have long faced challenges related to integration, access to basic services, and economic opportunities. UNHCR’s Regional Director, Mr. Indrika Ratwatte, recently appreciated Pakistan’s efforts to provide support to Afghan refugees living in the country. He expressed his gratitude for Pakistan’s continued commitment to providing a safe and dignified environment for refugees, despite the many challenges that the country faces. Mr. Ratwatte stated that he felt honored to work with Pakistan, which has been a long-standing partner in supporting refugees in the region. The one-time cash assistance scheme is just one example of the ongoing efforts of the UNHCR and Pakistan to support Afghan refugees. The UNHCR has been working closely with the Government of Pakistan to provide basic services, such as education and healthcare, to refugees in Pakistan. The program is a testament to the commitment of Pakistan and the UNHCR to provide a safe and dignified environment for refugees in the country.
Pakistan’s support for the Afghan refugees has been widely acknowledged by the international community, as the country has played a significant role in supporting the Afghan people during their time of need. The primary responsibility for the secure and safe repatriation of Afghan refugees to their homeland falls on the Afghan government and the international community. While Pakistan has been praised for its support to Afghan refugees, the Afghan government needs to take the lead in facilitating the refugees’ return, given their financial vulnerability and burden on both Pakistan and their country.