THIS is apropos the report ‘Afghan refugees ready to return but seek guarantees’ ( July 21). The nerve-breaking militancy associated with this class of humanity, coupled with other social and economic problems, has made us forget that they are displaced persons as a result of the war still going on in Afghanistan. Contributors to the war are known.

Their their presence in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has accelerated trade and economic activities to the benefit of the locals; jobs considered humiliating by the locals have been taken up by Afghan refugees throughout the country, KP in particular; an Afghan refugee born after 1979 in Pakistan is a Pakistani though his parents are not. They have no stakes in Afghanistan and, on the other hand, they have invested their money, labour and livelihood here at Pakistan. This situation makes it a serious human problem.

Our major weakness is our inability to make citizens (including refugees) law-abiding. Maintaining refugees in good state, decent ways, and giving dual nationality is an accepted norm the world over.

Utilised wisely and respectfully this lot is a great resource, rather than a liability -- a better workforce, traders and self-sufficient. But their misuse by various groups such as religious, political, and international lobbies has rendered them suspects and dangerous.

Let us put aside hate and haste and own them (those desirous of being owned) and return others respectfully.

Zarmast Khan Khattak

Islamabad

Published in Dawn, July 25th, 2016