Repatriation of Afghan Refugees from Pakistan: an analysis of constraints, challenges and prospects

Abstract

This study analyses constraints facing the government of Pakistan in the repatriation of Afghan refugees and investigates the underlying factors forcing the government to return Afghan refugees. The presence of Afghan refugees in Pakistan is associated with involvement in militant and other illicit activities. The call to repatriate Afghan Refugees could be a lasting solution. Accordingly, the main concern for the Pakistani government is to manage its border with Afghanistan, identified as the entry point of the militants and insurgents. Consequently, the Pakistani security agencies and armed forces have been subject to serious reforms, aiming at increasing their motivation and decreasing corruption among the officers, which has been termed as a drawback in fighting terrorism. Reforms are needed in the judicial system to prosecute the culprits arrested by the police force. It is recommended that the UNHCR provide financial assistance, especially for police reforms. Furthermore, closer coordination between the refugees and the law enforcement apparatus is encouraged to curb the association of terrorists and refugees. While repatriation has been identified as the best international norm for solving the refugee dilemma, clear guidelines should be enumerated as to at what cost the practice should be carried on.