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SUMMARY of the Article “Refugee Problem,” Dawn, August 30th, 2024

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The Pakistani authorities are preparing for the second phase of their efforts to repatriate Afghan refugees, with around half a million already sent back since November of the previous year. The Interior Minister, Mohsin Naqvi, urged the UN and the international community to assist in rehabilitating those displaced. The minister also highlighted concerns over the Afghan regime’s failure to prevent the TTP (Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan) from using Afghan territory to launch attacks on Pakistan, indicating that the repatriation drive may be more about responding to Kabul’s policies than purely addressing illegal immigration. The article notes a rise in xenophobia in Pakistan, not only against Afghans but also against indigenous ethnic communities, fueled by narratives questioning their loyalties. Unfortunately, instead of countering these dangerous trends, policymakers seem to endorse them, particularly regarding Afghan refugees. While Pakistan is dealing with economic constraints and security challenges, and it is indeed challenging for the country to continue supporting nearly two million Afghan refugees, the article argues that the international community, especially nations involved in the Afghan war, should share this burden. These countries should expedite the relocation of refugees they promised to take in. Simultaneously, Pakistan should approach the situation with greater patience and empathy. Many Afghan refugees have lived in Pakistan for years and know little about their homeland. Hastily deporting them would be culturally insensitive and inhumane.

Easy/Short SUMMARY:

Pakistan is preparing to send more Afghan refugees back to Afghanistan, with many already repatriated. The Interior Minister asked the UN and other countries to help those displaced and blamed the Afghan government for not stopping attacks on Pakistan. There is growing hostility in Pakistan toward Afghans and some ethnic groups, and the government seems to support these negative views. While Pakistan faces economic and security challenges, the article suggests that other countries involved in the Afghan war should help with the refugees. Pakistan should also be more patient and kind, as many Afghan refugees have lived there for a long time and may not know much about their homeland.

SOLUTIONS to The Problem:

International Support for Refugees

The global community, especially nations involved in the Afghan war, must increase financial and logistical support to help Pakistan manage the refugee crisis and ensure their humane treatment.

Gradual Repatriation

Implement a phased repatriation strategy that allows Afghan refugees to return home at a pace that ensures their safety and access to essential services in Afghanistan.

Bilateral Dialogue with Afghanistan

Engage in direct talks with the Afghan government to address security concerns, particularly the TTP issue, while ensuring that Afghan refugees are not unfairly targeted.

Strengthening Legal Frameworks

Develop and enforce clear legal frameworks for refugees and undocumented migrants, ensuring that repatriation efforts respect human rights and international law.

Community Integration Programs

Create programs that promote the integration of long-term Afghan refugees into Pakistani society, providing them with legal status, access to education, and employment opportunities.

Media Campaigns Against Xenophobia

Launch media campaigns to counter xenophobia and promote tolerance, educating the public on the historical ties and shared struggles between Pakistanis and Afghans.

Collaboration with NGOs

Partner with NGOs that specialize in refugee assistance to provide healthcare, education, and psychosocial support to refugees during the repatriation process.

Economic Assistance Packages

Offer economic incentives and assistance packages to refugees who voluntarily repatriate, helping them rebuild their lives in Afghanistan.

Temporary Residency Programs

Consider introducing temporary residency programs for refugees who cannot safely return to Afghanistan, allowing them to live and work in Pakistan under regulated conditions.

Monitoring and Accountability

Establish mechanisms to monitor the repatriation process and hold authorities accountable for any human rights violations, ensuring transparency and fairness in the implementation of policies.

IMPORTANT Facts and Figures Given in the Article:

• Around half a million Afghan refugees have been repatriated since November last year.
• Pakistan is preparing for the second phase of the repatriation drive.
• Pakistan hosts close to two million Afghan refugees.
• The Afghan regime’s failure to control TTP activities is a significant concern for Pakistan.
• Rising xenophobia in Pakistan is affecting not only Afghans but also indigenous ethnic communities.

MCQs from the Article:

1. How many Afghan refugees have been repatriated from Pakistan since November last year?

A. 100,000
B. 250,000
C. 500,000
D. 1 million

2. Which Pakistani official discussed the repatriation drive with the UN representatives?

A. Prime Minister
B. Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi
C. Foreign Minister
D. Defense Minister

3. What is the main reason for the repatriation drive, according to the article?

A. Economic constraints
B. Pressure from the UN
C. Response to Kabul’s policies and TTP activities
D. Overpopulation

4. What challenge is contributing to the rise of xenophobia in Pakistan?

A. Economic instability
B. Cultural differences
C. Security-related challenges
D. Political instability

5. What does the article suggest other countries involved in the Afghan war should do?

A. Close their borders
B. Share the burden of supporting Afghan refugees
C. Increase military presence in Afghanistan
D. Provide financial aid to Pakistan only

VOCABULARY:

1. Mobilising (حرکت میں لانا): Preparing and organizing troops for active service.
2. Repatriate (وطن واپسی): Send someone back to their own country.
3. Undocumented (غیر دستاویزی): Not having the official documents that are needed to enter, live in, or work in a country.
4. Rehabilitating (بحالی): Restoring someone to health or normal life through training and therapy.
5. Displaced (بے گھر): Forced to leave their home, typically because of war, persecution, or natural disaster.
6. Resurgence (دوبارہ اٹھنا): An increase or revival after a period of little activity or occurrence.
7. Xenophobia (غیر ملکیوں سے نفرت): Dislike of or prejudice against people from other countries.
8. Endorsing (تائید کرنا): Declaring one’s public approval or support.
9. Divisive (تقسیمی): Tending to cause disagreement or hostility between people.
10. Resource-constrained (وسائل کی کمی): Limited by the availability of resources.
11. Violence-fatigued (تشدد سے تھکا ہوا): Exhausted by continuous exposure to violence.
12. Obligation (ذمہ داری): A duty or commitment.
13. Expedite (جلد کرنا): Make an action or process happen sooner or be accomplished more quickly.
14. Haste (جلدی): Excessive speed or urgency of movement or action.
15. Unconscionable (ظالمانہ): Not right or reasonable; unreasonably excessive.

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dawn.com
Refugee problem
Editorial

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THE authorities are once again mobilising to ‘repatriate’ Afghan refugees, around half a million of whom have already been ‘sent home’ since November last year, when the drive against illegal and undocumented aliens first kicked off. Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi told representatives from the UN on Wednesday that the second phase of the repatriation drive would commence soon, asking that the UN and the international community play their role in rehabilitating those displaced. The minister complained to the delegation that the incumbent Afghan regime has failed to prevent the TTP from using its soil to launch attacks on Pakistan, which suggests that the motivation for this repatriation drive is more to respond to Kabul’s policies than anything else. It is worth noting that as Pakistan struggles to come to terms with a resurgence of serious security-related challenges, there has been a noticeable increase in xenophobia, including at the highest levels of the state. Not just Afghans, but indigenous ethnic communities traditionally ‘othered’ by the state are also being targeted, with various narratives pushed through traditional and social media questioning their loyalties and seeking to justify the use of force against them.

It is most unfortunate that our policymakers, instead of resisting or countering such divisive and dangerous trends, seem to be endorsing them, at least where the question of Afghan refugees is concerned. There is no question that Pakistan has become progressively resource-constrained and violence-fatigued, and it is unfair to expect it to continue shouldering the burden of close to two million Afghan refugees alone. The world, especially the countries that were involved in the Afghan war, has a bigger obligation to ensure the welfare of the millions that were displaced. These nations must also expedite the relocation of those Afghans they have agreed to give refuge to so that the latter can start to rebuild their lives as soon as possible. At the same time, however, Pakistan must be a little more generous and patient. The Kabul regime is, of course, proving to be a major problem — but we must not lose sight of our humanity because of it. Many of the refugees the authorities want to deport know nothing about their country. Indeed, many have considered Pakistan home for many years now. It would be unconscionable from a cultural perspective to uproot them in haste.

Published in Dawn, August 30th, 2024