COMPARED to the roughshod manner in which the caretaker set-up dealt with the issue, the elected government seems a lot more patient where the repatriation of Afghan nationals is concerned. According to a recent news report, the validity of the Proof of Registration cards given to Afghan refugees has been extended to June 30 this year so that they may continue to avail education, banking and other facilities in Pakistan. Perhaps the decision could have come a little sooner, considering that these cards had previously been valid till April 1. One hopes that no one was made to suffer any inconvenience over the delayed decision. Nonetheless, it is welcome news that the elected government is being more accommodating where the rights of refugees are concerned — one recalls the brutish manner in which the ‘repatriation’ drive began, with hundreds of thousands of Afghan men, women and children rounded up and placed in holding camps near the border to be ‘sent home’ to Afghanistan. A recalibration was much needed. Considering the human costs involved, repatriation must be done as humanely as possible without injuring the dignity of those being told to leave.

While it is still early days, it appears that the policy of returning aliens who have called Pakistan home in recent years will stay in place. Ideally, a country should be open to all, to live in and be free as long as they agree to respect its customs and laws and promise to contribute to its social, cultural and economic development. However, considering the challenges being faced by Pakistan and its depleting resources, those who make our national policies believe it is time the country excused itself from hosting anyone not entitled to its citizenship. Those championing this line of reasoning believe Pakistan is well within its rights and international laws to demand all refugees to leave. If this is the consensus, then so be it. However, the new government would send a much more positive message if it shows itself to be accommodative of those with Afghan ancestry but who were born in Pakistan, as well as the men and women who have married here. The two countries share a deep social bond which cannot be aborted through a sudden policy change. The process must play out, but it must be completed with due consideration for the human rights of those affected.

Published in Dawn, April 29th, 2024