Afghan Repatriation

For over four decades, Pakistan stood as a sanctuary for Afghan refugees fleeing successive wars in Afghanistan. Generations of Afghans grew up assimilated into Pakistani society, speaking local languages and contributing to labor markets. Yet, in October 2023, this hospitality took a political turn under the guise of national security concerns. Blaming a surge in militancy on Afghan soil, the interim government initiated a mass repatriation of undocumented Afghan refugees. But the real reason, as this article reveals, lies deeper—Afghans, especially the youth, were instrumental in street protests led by PTI and became pawns in the state’s political chessboard. Their visibility in agitation politics made them liabilities when the state’s political calculations changed. The decision to expel them was more about silencing a street force than ensuring national security.

The article draws connections between the political mobilization of Afghan refugees and the broader narrative of Pakistan’s evolving power dynamics post-2008. It highlights how the PTI, once marginal, emerged as a street power aided by Afghan youth, especially during sit-ins like the 2014 Tsunami March. The powerful establishment, after aiding this mobilization, later perceived it as a threat—especially when Imran Khan turned from a project to a problem. The expulsion of Afghans, then, reflects a shift in state priorities. The Charter of Democracy and the 18th Amendment once promised civilian supremacy, but internal sabotage and the manipulation of vulnerable groups like Afghan refugees underscore how that promise was never fulfilled. In the end, the article paints Afghan refugees not as culprits but as victims of political manipulation and scapegoating.

Overview:

This article explores the intersection of refugee politics, state manipulation, and power struggles in Pakistan. It exposes how Afghan refugees, initially welcomed and integrated, were later expelled not merely for security concerns, but due to their involvement—often orchestrated by the state itself—in agitation politics. The piece of writing gives a critical lens into Pakistan’s internal power games, democratic backsliding, and the consequences of using vulnerable populations for political gain.

NOTES:

This article provides an in-depth analysis of Pakistan’s political history post-2008, the role of Afghan refugees in domestic politics, and the manipulation of democratic processes. Aspirants can draw connections with topics like civil-military relations, refugee policy, internal security, and political engineering. It also aligns with questions related to Pakistan’s foreign policy towards Afghanistan and its domestic governance challenges. The article teaches how strategic decisions often camouflage real intentions behind the veil of national security.

Relevant CSS Syllabus Topics:

• Pakistan Affairs: Civil-military relations, constitutional amendments, role of political parties
• International Relations: Refugee diplomacy, Pakistan-Afghanistan relations
• Governance and Public Policy: Manipulation of civil institutions, statecraft
• Current Affairs: Repatriation policy, youth in political activism

Notes for beginners:

Afghan refugees came to Pakistan over different periods, escaping war and terror. Many settled and lived peacefully, with their children growing up speaking Urdu and local languages. But things changed when some of them joined political protests, especially those led by Imran Khan’s PTI. The government once used them to fill protest grounds and show media strength, but later saw them as a threat. So, in 2023, the interim government asked all undocumented Afghan refugees to leave. The article says this wasn’t just about security—it was political. The government feared that these refugees were giving too much support to PTI and causing unrest. This shows how sometimes, people are first used for political gains and then blamed or punished when their presence is no longer convenient.

Facts and Figures:

• Pakistan hosted Afghan refugees for nearly 40 years, reaching a total of around 4 million.
• The Charter of Democracy was signed in 2006, followed by the 18th Constitutional Amendment in 2010, introducing 102 changes to the constitution.
• In October 2023, Pakistan launched a repatriation programme, forcing undocumented Afghan refugees to leave by November.
• Afghan youth played a visible role in the PTI’s 2014 sit-in and later political rallies, especially in Punjab and Islamabad.

To wrap up, This article highlights a grim yet familiar story—how those once embraced for survival are later turned into scapegoats for political convenience. It critically dissects the Pakistani state’s dual-faced approach: first exploiting vulnerable refugees for political mobilization and later expelling them in the name of national interest. It calls for a deeper reflection on policy sincerity, democratic values, and the cost of playing politics with human lives.

Difficult Words and Meanings:

• Repatriation: Return of someone to their own country (Syn: deportation, Ant: immigration)
• Internecine: Conflict within a group or country (Syn: internal, civil; Ant: external)
• Agitation: Public protest or unrest (Syn: upheaval, unrest; Ant: calm, stability)
• Assimilated: Absorbed into the culture or system (Syn: integrated, merged; Ant: isolated)
• Clandestinely: Done secretly (Syn: covertly, secretly; Ant: openly)
• Manoeuvring: Strategic manipulation (Syn: scheming, planning; Ant: honesty)
• Supremacy: State of being superior (Syn: dominance, control; Ant subordination)
• Liabilities: Burdens or responsibilities (Syn: obligations, drawbacks; Ant: assets)