Analysis of Pakistan's Policy Towards Afghan Refugees: A Legal Perspective

Abstract

This article explores Pakistan’s policy towards Afghan refugees since their arrival into Pakistan in 1979. As Pakistan has no refugee related law at national level nor is a signatory to the 1951 Refugee Convention or its Protocol of 1967; but despite of all these obstacles it has welcomed the refugees from Afghanistan after the Russian aggression. During their stay here in Pakistan, these refugees have faced various problems due to the non-existence of the relevant laws and have been treated under the Foreigner’s Act of 1946, which did not apply to them. What impact this absence of law has made on the lives of these Afghan refugees? Here various phases of their arrival into Pakistan as well as the shift in policies of the government of Pakistan have been also discussed in brief. This article explores all these obstacles along with possible legal remedies.