The issue of extending the stay of Afghan refugees was extensively discussed on the show “Cross Talk with Wiqas Shah” on Khyber News. Despite the expiry of the government-imposed deadline and the associated Afghan refugee cards, UNHCR and human rights organizations have urged Pakistan not to proceed with forced deportations.
Advocate Syed Liaquat Banuri, speaking on the program, highlighted the need for a coordinated strategy that involves all stakeholders to ensure that refugees can return to their homeland with dignity, without damaging the bilateral relations between the two countries.
On the same program, former Inspector General of Police Syed Akhtar Ali Shah noted that preparations to repatriate Afghan refugees starting from Punjab have already been completed.
He reflected on past mistakes and emphasized that the current campaign would be conducted differently, with an aim to avoid the harsh actions of previous efforts. He also mentioned the complexity of dealing with economic migration and the limited involvement of Afghan refugees in terrorism, proposing targeted security measures rather than broad punitive actions.
Dr. Hussain Soharwardi, also a guest on “Cross Talk with Wiqas Shah,” critiqued the political underpinnings of the refugee policy.
He argued that the decisions seem to be influenced by Pakistan’s strained relations with the Taliban, questioning whether the measures were truly intended to foster security or merely to apply political pressure.
Dr. Soharwardi stressed the necessity for a wise approach, considering the economic repercussions and the broader impact on Pakistan’s regional relations and trade potentials, particularly highlighting the negative effects of these policies on Pakistan’s trade dynamics with Afghanistan and other regional players.
