Over the years, Pakistan has hosted millions of refugees, primarily from Afghanistan, due to decades of conflict in the region. Managing this influx presents numerous challenges, especially concerning security implications.
Pakistan faces the dual task of providing humanitarian support to refugees while ensuring the safety and security of its citizens. At present, the country shelters approximately 1.4 million registered Afghan refugees, with about 1.5 million additional unregistered refugees living within its borders.
Pakistan has faced several significant waves of refugees throughout its history, primarily due to conflicts and instability in neighboring Afghanistan. The initial influx took place after the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan in 1979, which led to the first major wave of Afghan refugees into Pakistan. Millions fled the war-torn country, seeking refuge across the border. The second was in the 1992-2001 era, with the collapse of the Soviet-backed government in Afghanistan led to a prolonged civil war among various factions. This period saw a second wave of Afghan refugees seeking safety in Pakistan.
Similarly, the rise of the Taliban in Afghanistan in the late........