Afghan Refugees in Pakistan: 40 Years of Solidarity and Struggle
Introduction: A Nation That Opened Its Doors
Since 1979, Pakistan has hosted one of the largest and longest-running refugee populations in the world — Afghan refugees escaping war, instability, and poverty.
Over the decades, these communities have grown, evolved, and contributed, while facing challenges in recognition, access, and rights. At the center of it all, UNHCR — the UN Refugee Agency — has been Pakistan’s partner, offering support to both refugees and host communities.
This is a story of hospitality, hardship, and the continuing search for solutions.
📦 The First Wave: Refugees of War (1979–1989)
The Soviet invasion of Afghanistan in 1979 triggered a mass exodus across the Durand Line. Within months:
- Over 3 million Afghans entered Pakistan
- Camps were set up in KP, Balochistan, and FATA
- Most refugees were women, children, and the elderly
UNHCR:
- Provided tents, food, and basic medical care
- Supported the Pakistani government in managing a crisis of unprecedented scale
- Began registering and documenting refugee families — a process that evolved over decades
“This was one of the largest refugee responses in UN history, and Pakistan carried it with grace.”
— UNHCR Archives
🧭 After the Soviets: Hope and Repatriation (1990s–2001)
After the Soviet withdrawal:
- Many Afghans returned home
- But continued instability (civil war, Taliban rule) led others to stay or return again
UNHCR shifted its focus to:
- Voluntary repatriation assistance
- Building basic infrastructure in camps and villages
- Advocating for durable solutions beyond short-term aid
Pakistan allowed many refugees to live in urban areas and work informally — a rare policy in the region.
🏚️ 9/11 and the U.S. Invasion: A New Chapter Begins (2001–2021)
The U.S.-led intervention in Afghanistan brought another wave of refugees and new geopolitical complexity.
During this time:
- The number of registered Afghan refugees in Pakistan again exceeded 2 million
- UNHCR introduced Proof of Registration (PoR) cards, issued in partnership with NADRA
- Humanitarian efforts expanded beyond camps to urban refugees, who often faced discrimination, poverty, and limited services
📉 2021 Onward: Return of the Taliban and a Deepening Crisis
The fall of Kabul in August 2021 led to:
- A surge of new Afghan asylum seekers, especially educated professionals, journalists, and at-risk minorities
- Pakistan hosting an estimated 3.7 million Afghans, including both registered refugees and undocumented migrants
- Concerns over national security, economy, and border control
In 2023–2024, Pakistan began a “repatriation drive” for undocumented Afghans, which raised serious human rights concerns globally.
🤝 UNHCR’s Role: From Emergency Aid to Long-Term Protection
UNHCR’s work with Afghan refugees in Pakistan includes:
1. 🧾 Legal Documentation
- Registration drives with NADRA to issue PoR cards and Afghan Citizen Cards (ACC)
- Documentation enables access to healthcare, education, and legal aid
2. 🏥 Services for Refugees
- Support for basic health and education services in refugee villages
- Scholarships, vocational training, and women’s health programs
- Legal aid and gender-based violence (GBV) protection centers
3. 🏘️ Urban Refugee Support
- Outreach centers in Islamabad, Peshawar, and Quetta
- Help desks and community protection units for city-based refugees
4. 🚍 Voluntary Repatriation
- Assistance for those choosing to return to Afghanistan
- Provision of travel grants and reintegration support packages
“UNHCR has never forced repatriation — dignity and choice are at the heart of our approach.”
— UNHCR Pakistan Representative
📊 Key Stats (As of 2024)
- 1.3 million Afghan refugees hold PoR cards
- 850,000+ have Afghan Citizen Cards (ACC)
- 300,000+ returned to Afghanistan under UNHCR-supported voluntary programs since 2016
- Over 60% of Afghan refugees are under 25, many born in Pakistan
📍 Where Afghan Refugees Live in Pakistan
- Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP): Peshawar, Haripur, Nowshera
- Balochistan: Quetta, Chaman
- Sindh & Punjab: Karachi, Lahore, Rawalpindi (urban refugees)
- Rural refugee villages established since 1980s, though many are now semi-urbanized
🌐 Pakistan on the Global Stage
Pakistan’s decades-long commitment to Afghan refugees has earned it:
- Global praise for hospitality and resilience
- Seats at major UNHCR forums and refugee summits
- But also criticism during recent mass deportation efforts
UNHCR has called for:
- Non-refoulement (no forced returns)
- Greater international burden-sharing
- A need for durable, long-term solutions, not just temporary hosting
🧾 Final Thoughts: Beyond Statistics, A Human Story
Each Afghan refugee in Pakistan carries a story — of war, survival, and the hope of returning home one day. While politics shift and policies change, the human cost of displacement remains.
Through its long-standing partnership with the Government of Pakistan, UNHCR continues to protect lives, rebuild futures, and uphold the fundamental rights of those who were forced to flee.
“Refugees are not a burden. They are survivors. And Pakistan has shown the world what solidarity looks like.”
— UNHCR Pakistan
