THE PERCEPTION OF THE REPATRIATION OF AFGHAN REFUGEES AND ITS IMPLICATIONS FOR THE FUTURE OF PAK-AFGHAN TIES

Abstract

The issue of Afghan refugees is one that has been affecting Pakistani society for more than four decades now. The refugee crisis has become a grave issue for Pakistan, adversely affecting its economic, socio-political, security and foreign-policy framework. The repatriation of these refugees being a very contemporary issue has major implications for the future of Pak-Afghan ties. With Afghanistan’s current instability and this major influx of repatriated Afghans, the future of Pak-Afghan relationship is at risk. There is uncertainty to whether Afghanistan will be able to provide a sustainable environment for these repatriated Afghans. The failure to do so may result in an internally and externally displaced Afghan population, further threatening the peace and stability of Pakistan and jeopardizing Pak-Afghan ties. Due to this apprehension, constant relaxations have been made in the deadline for the completion of the repatriation process. Therefore, through the conducting of in-depth interviews and focused-group discussions of scholarly individuals and former diplomats residing and working within Islamabad, followed by the application of thematic analysis for results and discussion generation, this research aims to evaluate perspectives on the current Afghan refugee repatriation process against the backdrop of increasing political turmoil in Afghanistan, and what its implications could be for the future of Pak-Afghan ties.