THE cabinet’s decision to allow ‘legal’ Afghan refugees — meaning those with Proof of Registration cards — to stay in the country till June 30, 2025, is a more humane choice compared to the problematic repatriation campaign initiated last year. However, it should be borne in mind that the reprieve is temporary and that one day, these individuals will have to return to their country of origin, and it is the responsibility of all stakeholders to facilitate a voluntary repatriation process, and help create the conditions in Afghanistan that can sustain the returnees. The decision will affect 1.45m Afghans in the country and was taken after the UN high commissioner for refugees visited the country to discuss the issue.

Waves of Afghans have been fleeing decades of war and persecution in their homeland, and most have either ended up in Pakistan, or used this country as a transit point to reach third countries. The latest cohort of refugees arrived in Pakistan after the Afghan Taliban rolled into Kabul in 2021, precipitating the collapse of the Western-backed government. But after decades of hosting Afghan refugees, the state has cited security concerns — militants entering the country in the guise of refugees — as a reason for initiating the repatriation campaign, while Pakistan’s precarious economic situation also makes sparing resources for millions of asylum-seekers difficult. Therefore, the state, UNHCR, the Western countries that were involved in the occupation of Afghanistan as well as the Taliban regime must work together to implement a workable plan that allows the remaining Afghan refugees to safely return home. Afghans who worked for Western governments or for the Karzai and Ghani administrations — particularly those who were involved in military and intelligence activities — face danger if they go back. In such a situation, the states that employed them need to speed up their visa process so that they can leave Pakistan. Even otherwise, those states that spent billions of dollars waging war in Afghanistan must now chip in and help support Afghan refugees. The Taliban, on their part, should create a climate conducive to the return of their compatriots. This entails shunning retribution, and assuring all returnees that their fundamental rights will be respected. Moreover, the international community should help revive the Afghan economy and build infrastructure so that returnees have jobs they can take up, and a roof over their heads.

Published in Dawn, July 12th, 2024