ISLAMABAD: The Institute of Regional Studies (IRS) organized a seminar titled “Challenges and Opportunities in Repatriation and Resettlement of Afghan Refugees,” highlighting the urgent need for international cooperation to address the Afghan refugee crisis. Muhammad Abbas Khan, the Chief Commissioner for Afghan Refugees (CCAR) at the Ministry of States and Frontier Regions (SAFRON), stressed the importance of hosting an international multilateral stakeholders’ conference to tackle issues related to voluntary repatriation and third-country resettlement.
“The Government of Pakistan should host a conference to encourage Western countries to increase their quotas and expedite the process for admitting Afghan applicants into their countries from Pakistan,” Mr. Khan said. He revealed that while 600,000 Afghan resettlement applicants are registered with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), the annual resettlement quota is a mere 8,000, which he termed as “unrealistic.”
Discussing the challenges of repatriation, Mr. Khan noted that Afghanistan’s limited absorption capacity, fragile infrastructure, and psychosocial challenges make reintegration a daunting task. He stressed the need for international efforts to create a secure and investment-friendly environment in Afghanistan to support sustainable reintegration of returning refugees.
He also highlighted Pakistan’s significant contributions, stating that over 4 million Afghan refugees have been repatriated since 2002. He emphasized that the majority of the current refugee population was born and raised in Pakistan, relying on the country’s economic, health, and educational services. Despite these challenges, Mr. Khan expressed hope for the younger refugee population, which could play a key role in Afghanistan’s reconstruction.
Ambassador Jauhar Saleem, President of IRS, called for a globally coordinated response to streamline resettlement processes and ensure adequate support for Afghan refugees transitioning to new lives in Western countries. He stressed the importance of addressing misconceptions about the Afghan refugee situation with factual data.
The seminar concluded with recommendations to strengthen voluntary repatriation programs, foster international collaboration, and invest in host communities. Participants also urged efforts to enhance security and investment opportunities in Afghanistan, ensuring it can effectively absorb returning refugees.
