The Impact of Protracted Afghan Refugees on Socio-Economic Conditions of Peshawar and Its Remedial Measures

Abstract

There are 1.6 million Afghan refugees registered with UNHCR in Pakistan but there are many more unregistered refugees illegally residing in Pakistan. Among many areas, Peshawar is the worst-hit city with severe changes brought to the socio-economic conditions of the city, after the arrival of large number of Afghan refugees. Large number of refugees from Afghanistan arrived to Peshawar as it is the frontline city of Afghan borders. Limited options leave Afghan refugees reluctant to go back home. The prevailing uncertainty, harsh weather, unemployment and non-availability of basic needs are major factors which discourage the refugees to go back to their homeland. It seems likely that a considerable proportion of Afghans who came to Pakistan as refugees - in a process that began in 1979 with the Soviet invasion of their country - will choose to live on here, rather than return to a homeland that remains insecure and where economic survival is uncertain.