Pakistan’s Afghan Refugee Policy: A Balancing Act Between Humanity And Sovereignty – OpEd
By Haris Gul
For over four decades, Pakistan has stood as a sanctuary for millions of Afghan refugees fleeing war, instability, and persecution in their homeland. Despite grappling with its own economic challenges, Pakistan extended unparalleled hospitality, sheltering its neighbors in one of the most prolonged humanitarian crises in recent history. Yet, as the nation enforces stricter regulations on undocumented Afghans, criticism from Western human rights organizations and governments reflects not only a failure to grasp Pakistan’s ground realities but also exposes glaring double standards in the global refugee debate.
Pakistan’s recent policy shift, including the deportation of undocumented migrants and the requirement for Afghan refugees in Islamabad to obtain No-Objection Certificates (NOCs), is being painted as an abandonment of humanitarian values. Amnesty International and other watchdogs have decried the measures, citing reports of detentions and harassment. Yet, they remain silent on similar or harsher policies implemented elsewhere—be it the US’s treatment of asylum seekers at its southern border, India’s crackdowns on Rohingya refugees, or Iran’s mass deportations of Afghans. Pakistan, which has sheltered over 3.5 million Afghan refugees at its peak, is now being unfairly singled out for attempting to address its own security and economic concerns.
The reality is far more nuanced. The unchecked influx of undocumented individuals, coupled with a volatile security landscape, has exacerbated militancy concerns within Pakistan. Recent years have seen a resurgence of terrorist attacks, many linked to cross-border networks operating within refugee communities. Tightening regulations and ensuring proper documentation are not acts of hostility but necessary steps to safeguard national security. Measures like the NOC requirement, far from being an undue burden, are pragmatic efforts to prevent illegal activities while streamlining assistance for genuine refugees.
The West’s moral posturing on this issue is particularly galling. After the chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021, Western nations made grandiose promises to resettle vulnerable Afghans, particularly those who worked alongside NATO forces. Yet, years later, these promises remain largely unfulfilled. Thousands of Afghans remain stranded in Pakistan, awaiting relocation to countries that shut their borders as soon as the last aircraft left Kabul. Instead of expediting resettlement efforts, these nations deflect their responsibility by criticizing Pakistan—a country that has carried the refugee burden far longer and with far fewer resources.
Pakistan’s policies are not born of malice but necessity. The country’s economy, already strained by inflation and external debts, can no longer absorb the costs of hosting millions without substantial international support. Western nations, far wealthier and more stable, must step up to share the load. Offering financial aid alone is insufficient; they must open their borders to the refugees they pledged to protect. Until then, their critique of Pakistan reeks of hypocrisy.
As Pakistan recalibrates its refugee policy, it does so with a firm commitment to balancing humanitarian obligations with national interests. The international community must recognize this delicate balancing act and, more importantly, its own failures in addressing the Afghan refugee crisis. If the West truly cares about Afghan lives, it is time to match words with action. Otherwise, their criticism of Pakistan will remain hollow—a glaring testament to their double standards in global humanitarianism.
