THE government in a blundering move has allowed Afghan refugees living legally to stay for another year, and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has welcomed the move. Whatever the alleged merits of the decision, the provincial assemblies in Punjab and Sindh should discuss it afresh, and public input should be obtained on this important issue as the presence of Afghans has been linked to increased crime in these two provinces, and, policing is a provincial matter that affects the lives of the people directly.

There have been allegations about the involvement of these refugees in illegal activities, like drug peddling. Afghanistan is only 22 per cent smaller than Pakistan in terms of land, and has one-sixth of Pakistan’s population. Yet it has been pouring people into Pakistan continuously. One hopes that the matter would be placed in the provincial assemblies again, and will be discussed in detail. Unfortunately, unrealistic approach to law and order, demographic consequences, economy, and smuggling have made the poor in Pakistan a lot poorer than they were before the refugees started pouring in.

M. Shaikh
Islamabad

Published in Dawn, July 27th, 2024