Afghan Refugees in Pakistan: Struggle for Survival Amid Uncertainty

Pakistan has served as a second home for millions of Afghan refugees for decades. Today, as global attention shifts elsewhere, hundreds of thousands of these refugees remain stuck in Pakistan. They have uncertain future, difficult living conditions and limited opportunities for resettlement. Pakistan has repeatedly argued that it cannot bear the refugee burden alone. Officials insist that the international community must step up with financial aid, resettlement programs and political solutions.

The Afghan refugee presence in Pakistan dates back to the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan in 1979. Millions fled to neighboring Pakistan and Iran, seeking safety from violence. While some returned during periods of relative stability. Economic collapse in Afghanistan has continued to drive migration over the past four decades. According to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, Pakistan currently hosts around 1.3 million registered Afghan refugees and an estimated 1.5 million unregistered migrants, making it one of the largest refugee-hosting countries in the world.

The situation for Afghan refugees in Pakistan is complex. The registered refugees hold Proof of Registration cards that provide some protection, many remain undocumented. Those without legal status face constant risks of detention, harassment and deportation. Afghan refugees cannot easily own property, access formal employment or open bank accounts. Restrictions in mobility and bureaucracy further isolate them from mainstream society. As a result, many Afghans are trapped in a cycle of informal labor, poverty and marginalization.

In Pakistan rising inflation, unemployment and shortages of basic services have sparked resentment among sections of the host population who believe refugees compete for scarce resources. The Afghan refugees stuck in Pakistan reflects not only a humanitarian emergency but also a failure of international responsibility sharing. For millions, Pakistan has been both a refuge and a place of temporary shelter that has stretched into generations. Without sustained international support and legal protections, Afghan refugees will remain one of the most vulnerable populations in the world.