Title: Balancing National Security and Empathy: The Complex Dilemma

Faced by Pakistan in the Context of Afghan Refugees

Submitted by: Malik Ahmed Rafay

Registration no: NDU-BS/SS-20/F-012
Submitted to: Mr. Amjad Bhatti
Course: National Security of Pakistan
Course Code: SS-
Submission Date: December 26, 2023
Balancing National Security and Empathy: The Complex Dilemma Faced by
Pakistan in the Context of Afghan Refugees

In early October 2023, the Pakistan government announced a mass deportation policy that would
seek all illegal foreigners particularly Afghan refugees to leave the country before 1 November.
The official stance of the government states that the decision is purely based on security reasons
and to curb the growing influence of terrorist groups across its borders. 1 In the last forty years,
Pakistan has hosted the highest number of Afghan refugees escaping wars and crises. But now it
faces a decision-making dilemma as on one side it has a long-standing history of holding
humanitarian values compassionately and on the other side, it faces serious national security
concerns. The deportation policy is based on prioritizing the safety and security of citizens but it
affects the lives of many individuals who have already fled their country to avoid persecution
and wars. Those who lived here for the last four decades and hold a notable share in businesses
either big or small are also on the verge of collapse if they are forced to repatriate. Considering
the international responses and the potential humanitarian crises that may arise from forced
deportation, Pakistan needs to adopt a balanced approach. With this approach, only the
absconders should be forced to leave while those who have been living here peacefully for
decades must be protected.
The story of millions of Afghan Nationals becoming refugees started with the Soviet invasion of
Afghanistan in the early 1980’s. According to a survey conducted by the United States
Committee for Refugees and Immigrants in 1998, there were approximately 1.2 million refugees
in Pakistan of which a major chunk was unregistered.2 The Afghan civil war in the 1990s forced
thousands more Afghans to leave and seek sanctuary in Pakistan. In a recent report, the
Norwegian Refugee Council estimates that there are 4.4 million Afghan refugees currently
residing in Pakistan. The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) reported
only 1.3 million Afghan refugees are registered with authorities. 3 Historically Afghan refugees
had to deal with a legal landscape that did not require any formal documentation. The Proof of
Registration Card (PoR) that was issued later in 2006, provided some protection from
deportation and harassment but offered no permanent solution. The Afghan Citizen Cards (ACC)
in 2017 aids authorities in identifying citizens but provides limited services and little access to
formal livelihood prospects. Almost 600,000 new refugees who came since the fall of Kabul
faced distinct challenges as they were unable to register formally and remained deprived of
services, benefits, and protection.
1
Kashif Abbasi, Umar Farooq, and Imran Ayub, "Govt Reveals Plan to Expel Documented Immigrants,"
DAWN.COM, last modified November 10, 2023, https://www.dawn.com/news/1788062.
2
Ibrahim Bahiss, Pakistan’s Mass Deportation of Afghans Poses Risks to Regional Stability, (ReliefWeb, 2023),
accessed December 20, 2023, https://reliefweb.int/report/pakistan/pakistans-mass-deportation-afghans-poses-
risks-regional-stability.
3
"Country - Pakistan (Islamic Republic Of)," Operational Data Portal UNHCR, last modified September 29, 2023,
https://data.unhcr.org/en/country/pak.
In a realist world, the national security of states remains a paramount concern for them. More
than four million refugees have caused a blow to the social, political, and economic structure of
Pakistan. The majority of the refugee population comprising elderly individuals, women, and
children who live in camps is a burden for the already dwindling economy of Pakistan. The
government has an extra responsibility to provide a share of public resources like hospitals and
schools. Provinces bordered by Afghanistan have seen a 10-15% increase in the population
changing their demographic structures.4 The real problem is to find the criminals and terrorists
who are disguised in the shape of refugees. In the last two decades, Pakistan has suffered huge
economic, infrastructure, and human losses due to the inflow of terrorists after the US operation
in Afghanistan. The easy availability of illegal weaponry brought by refugees makes the situation
worse for LEAs. Different Pakistani governments have publically declared refugee camps as safe
havens for terrorists.5 The implementation of the National Action Plan coupled with some
counter-terrorism measures alleviated the pressures posed by terrorism. However, the resurgence
of TTP this year depicts a 60% increase in suicide attacks along with attacks on military
personnel and key installations.6 The majority of the suicide attackers are Afghan Nationals who
cross the border illegally. Since the Taliban took over Kabul, Afghanistan has become a terror
breeding camp and a haven for leaders of TTP. Hence, the government is forced to take drastic
measures while prioritizing the national security of the state.
Pakistan has a four-decade-long legacy of hosting Afghan refugees globally recognized by the
world. One African saying goes ‘No one leaves home until home is the mouth of a shark’. Every
time the Afghans have fled to Pakistan is either because of civil wars or the threat of persecution
by the Taliban government. As a country born amidst the one of biggest historical migrations,
the people of Pakistan are well aware of the hardships during the process of migration and the
subsequent quest for refuge. The mass deportation of these individuals will put the physical well-
being and integrity of these individuals at stake considering Afghanistan’s dire political and
economic crises.7 The current Taliban government already struggling to sustain seems unwilling
to accept these refugees. This hasty decision can end up in a humanitarian catastrophe as during
winter lives of elder people, children, and women are more prone to death. 8 The decision-makers
must avoid subjecting all refugees to collective punishment as there have been many individuals
living here for the past four decades contributing to businesses and communities. The Afghan

4
National Internal Security Policy 2014-18, (Ministry of Interior-Government of Pakistan, 2014),
https://nacta.gov.pk/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/National-Internal-Security-Policy-2014.
5
"Afghan Refugee Camps 'safe Havens' for Terrorists: Aziz," DAWN.COM, last modified June 21, 2016,
https://www.dawn.com/news/1266141.
6
Ayaz Gul, "Pakistan Suffers Record Terror-Related Deaths, Afghanistan Registers 58% Drop," Voice of America,
last modified March 14, 2023, https://www.voanews.com/a/pakistan-suffers-record-terror-related-deaths-
afghanistan-registers-58-drop/7004410.html.
7
"Pakistan: Government Must Not Deport Afghan Refugees," ReliefWeb, last modified November 21, 2023,
https://reliefweb.int/report/pakistan/pakistan-government-must-not-deport-afghan-refugees.
8
Asif Shahzad, "Reuters.com," Reuters.com, last modified November 23, 2023,
https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/un-agency-urges-pakistan-halt-expelling-afghans-during-winter-2023-
11-22/.
children who were born in Pakistan spent their early years here, and are pursuing their education
are the most vulnerable of all. For them, the forced repatriation will be a threat to their future
stability. Pakistan must strike a balance by showing some leniency towards those who are legally
registered and have no criminal records. This will soften the positive image of the country
deteriorated by this decision.
From the overleaf discussion one can easily conclude that Pakistan is facing a complex challenge
in balancing its decades-old humanitarian values with current national security threats posed by
illegal immigrants. It’s undeniable that security threats must be addressed as a priority but the
mass deportation approach risks the well-being and futures of those immigrants who lived here
for the past four decades. The decision-makers before issuing a policy need to distinguish
between long-term inhabitants with law-abiding status and those posing potential threats to the
security of the state. The United States, EU, and UNHCR need to collaborate with Pakistan in
promoting a balanced and stable environment while assisting the latter to bear this burden. The
refugee in different camps must be provided with all basic facilities and their dignity must be
protected to avoid any humanitarian crises.
Bibliography

Abbasi, Kashif, Umar Farooq, and Imran Ayub. "Govt Reveals Plan to Expel Documented Immigrants."
DAWN.COM. Last modified November 10, 2023. https://www.dawn.com/news/1788062.

"Afghan Refugee Camps 'Safe Havens' for Terrorists: Aziz." DAWN.COM. Last modified June 21, 2016.
https://www.dawn.com/news/1266141.

Bahiss, Ibrahim. Pakistan’s Mass Deportation of Afghans Poses Risks to Regional Stability. ReliefWeb,
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afghans-poses-risks-regional-stability.

"Country - Pakistan (Islamic Republic Of)." Operational Data Portal UNHCR. Last modified September 29,
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Gul, Ayaz. "Pakistan Suffers Record Terror-Related Deaths, Afghanistan Registers 58% Drop." Voice of
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related-deaths-afghanistan-registers-58-drop/7004410.html.

National Internal Security Policy 2014-18. Ministry of Interior-Government of Pakistan, 2014.

https://nacta.gov.pk/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/National-Internal-Security-Policy-2014.

"Pakistan: Government Must Not Deport Afghan Refugees." ReliefWeb. Last modified November 21,
2023. https://reliefweb.int/report/pakistan/pakistan-government-must-not-deport-afghan-refugees.

Shahzad, Asif. "Reuters.com." Reuters.com. Last modified November 23, 2023.

https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/un-agency-urges-pakistan-halt-expelling-afghans-during-
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