The recent history witnessed the Afghanistan War producing the largest number of refugees in the world. According to an estimate almost five million Afghans took refuge in the neighbouring countries i.e. Pakistan, Iran and Central Asian states bordering Afghanistan, and millions were internally displaced as a result of war against communism, internal conflicts or US led strikes against Taliban Regime. Almost half of them have returned to their homeland with the efforts of UN and allied agencies or at their own.
Being Afghanistan’s next-door neighbour and sharing the cultural identities, Pakistan has never denied the refugees and their peaceful coexistence. It is also being assumed that the Afghans integrated socially and economically in terms of employment in Pakistan for many years and may not intend to return home. The government of Pakistan has made no law to offer them residency or permanent settlement as the millions may intend to do so.
One of the unofficial refugee camp known as ‘Kachi Abadi’ (squatters), is located at the urban area of Islamabad (I-11), developed during the reign of Late Gen Zia-ul-Haq. Thousands of Afghans live there permanently or in rotation to seek bread and butter for their families and to get necessary medical treatment. Some of the young children among them have not even visited their homeland. This area is being run systematically; the refugees accommodate their guests, and also buy and sell their mud houses to newcomers. The Maliks (elders) are always there to solve their internal disputes. The UNDP has carried out some surveys of the site and on occasions cooperate in their repatriation.
The dilemma with these refugees is the little expertise they have in this global age due to the decades long war. It is only the muscle power they can utilize to meet both ends. “We can not get jobs here as we are not Pakistani nationals and have no guarantees for employers but we can earn our livelihood by working as labour at the nearby vegetable market or at other places on daily basis,” a young group of refugees said.
“Most of us are living here for years and some of us have left for homeland recently. Poverty is the real problem in our country; we have nothing to do there, so it is a better place to live. The government hospitals of Islamabad treat us on humanitarian grounds without taking into account our nationality. Some of our brothers at refugee camps in Balochistan and North Western province are even lacking the shelter that we have,” said an elderly person.
“Threat to our lives still persists if we go back to Afghanistan because of the disputes among warlords or by the scattered mines,” a resident of Kachi Abadi said. It is true as disabled refugee children can be found on the roads of Pakistan, begging to lessen their miseries. If one is the victim of a land mine blast the other may be of an assault external or internal in the power struggle.
The term refugee needs sympathy and not disgust. A person who has been forced to leave his country because of war, shortage of food or political reasons certainly needs sympathy and assistance. The right of a refugee not to be returned to the country where his or her life or freedom is threatened is widely accepted and fundamental principle of international customary law. But where millions are displaced this phenomenon loses its strength.
Recent history of Afghanistan is nothing except war and conflicts. Since the decline of Zahir Shah in 1973, millions of Afghans have been killed or have taken refuge either in war against communism or for power struggle in the country. 9/11 incident, and later Taliban’s stance over the status of Bin Laden as guest, enhanced their miseries.
The phenomenon of militants has also affected the status of refugees. Human Right Watch suggested the United Nations agencies to develop a coordinated strategy to effectively identify and separate militants from civilian refugees. That may took place inside host countries at the border and involve an international presence. But suspicion for every Afghan all the time is to curtail the civil liberties.
Afghans cannot be solely blamed for their fate, as it is a fact they have changed the course of history by blocking the expansion of communism towards warm waters. World community encouraged their bravery for that matter but later neglected them in rebuilding the war trodden country. The Psychological damage to them who have lost their family members or are in refuge cannot be ignored.
A WHO report reveals that “Not only does Afghanistan hold the unenviable position of one of the worst health-care situations in the world, it is also grappling with a hidden medical crisis: severe mental suffering resulting from decades of conflict and repression.” Large queues of Afghan refugees for treatment can be seen at “Ibadat Foundation” of renowned psychologist Prof Dr Khalid Mufti in Peshawar. “The patients feel chest pain and visit heart specialist and most of them are referred to me eventually on the basis of their diagnosis of psychological nature,” said Dr Mufti.
In the globalisation process borders are melting down, the new world -- Central Asia -- is waiting to be explored by the tourists and the business community. It is Afghanistan that can provide road to Central Asia. The local system of Afghanistan can ensure the international system of trade and transit to Central Asia.
A lot needs to be done for the Afghans to help them stand on their own. A nation of 30 million blessed with valuable resources of natural gas, petroleum, different kinds of mineral ores, metal and minerals still reflects high moral that they can change their destiny with the help of the world community. Rehabilitation is the need of the hour. Those who will contribute to the cause would be remembered.
