About time they leave
Few doubted that Kabul would request an extension for the Afghan refugees’ stay in Pakistan when the current deadline expired (end June). The legal stay of registered refugees actually ran out in Dec ’15, but the prime minister utulised his discretionary powers – at Kabul’s request, of course – to grant a six-month extension. But they are not likely to find Islamabad just as accommodative now that they are back; especially since they are asking for a four-year extension. And it’s not just because they very recently took the relationship to a new low by removing Pakistan from the QCG.
The world, especially Afghanistan and the US, gives Pakistan little credit for what it has done for the Afghan refugees. There is no other example where three million strong have been taken in, allowed to integrate with society, and live in complete freedom. Examples from as close as the Muslim Arab world – where Palestinian refugees are still housed in camps; 70 years on – are very different. But most of these Afghans are settled in areas, like Balochistan, where even the indigenous population struggles for very limited resources. Feeding the Afghans over the decades has taken an enormous toll on the local and national economy.
That is not to say that the refugees must all be thrown out, of course. The PM is likely to give the process another six months, but the 2020 request is asking for a little too much, especially since the Afghans have done nothing in the last six months to inspire any confidence. They are just relying on Pakistan to shoulder the burden indefinitely. Pakistan must make it clear that it has already done more than enough on this matter and the sooner the Afghans leave for their own country the better for everybody concerned.