THIS is with reference to the editorial ‘Afghan resettlement’ (Feb 25), which dilated on the important issue of Afghan refugees presently living in Pakistan, suggesting that the United States should settle within its own borders some of the Afghans.

The suggestion may have political and logistical logic behind it, but it runs counter to the historical pattern we have seen in the subcontinent. Those who ever migrated to the region, whether as foreign invading soldiers or refugees displaced from Central Asia, dropped anchor here and became permanent citizens.

My ancestors had migrated from Bokhara, the present-day Uzbekistan, to escape the wrath of invaders attacking the homeland, and got settled in what at the time was British India.

In turn I, for one, proved unflinching loyalty to my ancestor-adopted soil, by taking part in four wars to defend Pakistan. Like my family, several migrant families in Pakistan tag their surnames with that of their ancestors’ land, like Tirmizi and Ghaznavi, just as those coming from India in 1947 called themselves Dehlavi and Luknavi.

Let us be realistic in the current sce-nario. All the refugees displaced from Afghanistan to escape Russian invasion in 1979, and those who wish to escape the current draconian regime ruling Kabul, should be accepted as genuine settlers in line with the historical trend.

Sayed G.B. Shah Bokhari
Peshawar

Published in Dawn, March 5th, 2025