In recent weeks, the detention, imprisonment, and forced expulsion of Afghan refugees across various provinces in Pakistan has escalated into a grave humanitarian crisis. Credible sources report that approximately ten thousand Afghan refugees including women, children, elderly, and patients are being held under harsh and inhumane conditions in Pakistani prisons and detention centers. This conduct not only violates fundamental international human rights principles but also contravenes the 1951 Refugee Convention, its 1967 Protocol, and the core spirit of international humanitarian law.
Moreover, the Torkham and Chaman border crossings have been closed for nearly twenty days, paralyzing civilian movement, trade, and transit between Afghanistan and Pakistan. This situation threatens the lives of thousands of vulnerable refugees while undermining regional economic stability, mutual trust, and the broader framework of international cooperation.
Humanitarian, Political, and Strategic Dimensions of the Crisis
1. Humanitarian Dimension
The forced expulsion of Afghan refugees represents a deeply concerning human rights violation. Such actions flagrantly contradict national and international laws, which protect individuals from arbitrary expulsion particularly those fleeing violence, conflict, persecution, or humanitarian crises. Millions of Afghans have been displaced by protracted conflict, insecurity, and political instability, making this population acutely vulnerable.
Women, children, the elderly, and the sick bear the brunt of these violations. Women are exposed to sexual violence, domestic abuse, and limited access to healthcare. Children are deprived of education, safe environments, and emotional support, impairing their psychosocial development. The elderly and patients face life-threatening risks due to insufficient medical services. Forced expulsion not only inflicts physical harm but also causes prolonged psychological distress, anxiety, and insecurity.
Such actions are an affront to human dignity. Every individual is entitled to fundamental necessities—shelter, food, and healthcare. Arbitrary displacement strips people of these basic rights and deprives them of family, community, and social support, exacerbating mental health crises and social isolation.
International organizations, humanitarian bodies, and refugee rights advocates have consistently warned against such practices. Under international law, states have an unequivocal obligation to protect refugees and prevent physical and psychological harm. Upholding human dignity requires ensuring that no one is denied life-sustaining resources. Global response, humanitarian assistance, and legal safeguards are therefore vital to mitigate the consequences of forced displacement.
2. Political Dimension
Politically, the treatment of Afghan refugees fosters regional distrust, escalates intergovernmental tensions, and threatens international relations. Refugee issues extend beyond individual welfare; they directly impact regional security, stability, and economic development. Utilizing refugees as a political tool undermines human rights and jeopardizes diplomatic relations. Policies by the Pakistani government, aimed at reducing domestic pressure through politicizing Afghan refugees, pose serious risks to regional stability.
Politicization erodes mutual confidence, hampers regional programs, and jeopardizes coordinated efforts for peace and development. Afghan refugees displaced due to conflict and economic hardship represent a sensitive demographic; their plight can exacerbate diplomatic friction, impede joint security initiatives, and disrupt regional agreements. Sustained political manipulation of refugee issues can have far-reaching consequences for regional and international cooperation.
3. Strategic Dimension
Forced displacement of Afghan refugees is not merely a humanitarian or political concern; it also has serious regional and global security implications. Humanitarian crises create conditions for extremist groups to expand influence, as instability, insecurity, and economic hardship provide fertile ground for propaganda and recruitment. Displaced individuals deprived of basic necessities experience despair, making them more vulnerable to extremist networks.
The forced expulsion of Afghan refugees contributes to regional insecurity, facilitating illicit trafficking, terrorism, and other unlawful activities. Continued neglect of refugee needs weakens inter-state trust, hampers joint security operations, and obstructs peacebuilding efforts. This issue, therefore, extends beyond human rights to the core of strategic stability in South Asia. Addressing it requires coordinated humanitarian, political, and security-focused interventions to safeguard regional peace, economic growth, and collaborative frameworks.
4. Economic and Diplomatic Dimension
The expulsion of Afghan refugees undermines regional economic integration and diplomatic relations. Such measures disrupt trade, transit, and collaborative projects under regional organizations such as SAARC and ECO, which aim to enhance economic coordination and facilitate cross-border exchange. Economically, refugees contribute significantly to local labor markets and trade networks. Their forced removal weakens markets, reduces workforce capacity, and impairs commerce, production, and services.
Lack of refugee support also deters regional and foreign investment, further destabilizing economic growth. Diplomatically, forced expulsions erode confidence in international humanitarian institutions. Political exploitation of refugee issues jeopardizes international aid, limits assistance, and undermines multilateral cooperation. Ensuring human dignity, refugee rights, and adherence to international law is essential for sustaining regional economic stability, trade, and diplomatic engagement.
The Depth of Afghan Refugees’ Challenges
Refugees’ difficulties are not confined to detention in Pakistan. Upon return to Afghanistan, they face intertwined economic, educational, and security crises:
- Economic Challenges: Returning refugees confront limited employment, wages, and economic opportunities. Prolonged exile often links their skills and experience to international systems, but Afghanistan’s limited job market exacerbates unemployment and economic vulnerability. Basic necessities—food, shelter, healthcare, and educationremain insufficient, creating social pressure and psychological distress.
- Educational Challenges: Education for women in Afghanistan is entirely restricted, undermining societal development, economic growth, human capital, and future generations. Denial of female education limits professional capacity, household contributions, and societal progress. Generational impacts are profound, as children lose access to education and knowledge transfer suffers. The prohibition of female education contradicts international human rights, social justice, and global norms. Prioritizing women’s education is essential for Afghanistan’s long-term development, societal stability, and human capital investment.
- Security Challenges: Returning refugees encounter conflict, inflation, and extremist influence, endangering their basic rights. Host regions are often insecure, with escalating violence threatening women, children, and the elderly. Extremist groups exploit instability, further undermining regional security and social cohesion.
- Psychosocial Challenges: Refugees experience severe psychological distress due to detention, forced displacement, and insecurity. Children lose access to education and social activities, while women face sexual violence, domestic abuse, and limited healthcare. Families endure uncertainty, anxiety, and despair. Prolonged psychological stress fosters social distrust, disruption, and insecurity, demanding urgent support programs for mental health, education, and social assistance.
International Community Responsibility
The protection, humane treatment, and dignity of refugees constitute a shared global responsibility. The Law and Justice Civil Movement urgently calls upon:
- Diplomatic Action: Immediate, transparent, and targeted dialogue with the Pakistani government to end detentions and guarantee refugee protection.
- Humanitarian Intervention: Deployment of UN monitoring missions to observe conditions, ensure immediate release, and uphold human rights standards.
- Border Reopening: Activation of Torkham and Chaman crossings to restore civilian, trade, and humanitarian flows, strengthening regional stability.
- Humanitarian Aid and Healthcare: Rapid provision of emergency aid, medical care, shelter, and nutrition for women, children, the elderly, and patients.
Islamic World Responsibility
Islamic states, particularly OIC members, bear a moral, religious, and humanitarian duty to protect Afghan refugees. Guided by fraternity, conscience, and compassion, the Islamic Ummah must act decisively to safeguard the rights of the vulnerable. Responsibility extends beyond financial assistance to political support, humanitarian cooperation, and coordination with international organizations.
Islamic nations must develop sustainable strategies to ensure refugees’ education, health, shelter, and economic opportunities while reinforcing regional and global cooperation. Active engagement of the Islamic world strengthens Afghan refugees’ welfare and reinforces the unity, justice, and humanitarian values of the Ummah.
Call of Conscience and Humanitarian Solidarity
Afghan refugees are direct victims of war, instability, economic hardship, and insecurity. Prolonged displacement endangers physical survival and undermines mental, economic, social, and human rights. They require basic necessities shelter, food, healthcare, education, and psychosocial support not criminalization. Their suffering is the cry of humanity itself. Global inaction risks further instability, distrust, and chaos.
Defending humanity demands more than statements it requires tangible, effective, and sustained measures. Ensuring refugee rights, protecting human dignity, and facilitating access to life-sustaining conditions will not only safeguard Afghan refugees but also strengthen global peace, stability, and solidarity. Immediate action is a moral, legal, and strategic imperative.
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