The extension of Afghan refugees repatriation by government of Pakistan till 31st has opened a new window of hope for Afghan Refugees, in order to plan and return back to their homeland. The people of Afghanistan are thankful for the warm welcome of the neighbor Muslim country (Pakistan). The current and former president of Afghanistan always appreciated the people and the government of Pakistan for their hospitality and support.
The repatriation of Afghan Refugees is one of the priorities for both government. On the other hand, the returnees from Europe is also another milestone that the Afghan Government should deal with it with support of International community. The statistic from early September shows, more than 225,000 Afghan returned from Pakistan and 245,000 people become IDP’s this year.
Many Afghans complained about the abuses and harassment of police but the officials in Pakistan refusing and denying their claims. During Afghan Delegates unofficial interaction with Minister Abdul Qadir Baloch, a retired Lt. General, the same questions raised by Afghan delegation but again the claim was refused very aggressively.
More than three decades Afghans are living in Pakistan and many of them are having well established businesses and contributing to the economy of Pakistan but it seems most of Afghan Businessman have serious challenges running their businesses, such as freezed bank accounts, sealed properties. In other word, their business operations are currently stopped.
The practicality of the mechanism and designed procedure of repatriation is a question that both government should be hold accountable to answer. Or to make the question simple, “Who and how to ensure, the repatriation is dignified and respectful and to which address the serious issues must be shared”?
During course of discussion with Pakistani delegation, the matter of border management was a serious topic for discussion but before stepping into this historical matter, a simple question is in quest of answer “If the two state can’t solve, the issues such as trade, Refugees repatriation then isn’t it an unrealistic expectation to bring border management agenda on the table? Why border management is a hostage and pre-condition for better relation?
How you end things is much important then how you start things. We may start many relations throughout our life but how we maintain and keep them strong is much important. But why both states couldn’t succeed to keep and maintain the relation and now it is reached to the highest peak of mistrust.
This political tension has significantly impacted the life of people on both ends and the continuity of this hostile environment will create more hatred, grievances in the long run, specially the issue of Afghan Refugees. For instance, the absence of Afghan citizen on a very special day of Independence Day of Pakistan (14th Aug) in Pakistan embassy in Kabul exhibit that the two nations are getting far from each other. But on the other hand, how passionately Afghans are present and participating on 15th Aug- Independence Day of India and celebrating with them.
Trust is earned when actions replace words but it looks Afghan nation has lost the trust on Pakistan government and all attempts by both states towards strengthen this relation is failed BUT still there is hope to re-gain this trust and make the relation strong.
This article originally appeared on www.khaama.com, 02, November, 2016. Original link.
Disclaimer: Views expressed in the article are not necessarily supported by CRSS.