matiullah kazmi thesis document for master in sociology

7/29/2019 Matiullah Kazmi Thesis Document for Master in Sociology

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ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

All acclamations and appreciation are for almighty Allah, who has given us the privilege

to be amongst those who are awarded with superiority by blessing us, with the knowledge

and gave us strength to face hurdles and every difficulty in life and also to overcome our

problems. Thank to Allah Almighty, may Allah Almighty be pleased with us, Ameen.

And all the respect for his last prophet Muhammad (PBUH), who enlighten mankind

with the essence of faith in Allah and guiding them the true path of life.

Our special thanks and appreciation goes to honorable research supervisorMr. Noor

Sanauddin, lecturer Institute of Social Development Studies, University of Peshawar, for

his creative eyes, sensitive heart, encouragement and attractiveness to our thesis. His kind

and sympathetic behaviors, support, valuable comments, experts suggestions and

scholarly guidance with paved the way for the successful completion of our thesis.

We extend our gratitude to the honorable ProfessorDr. Sara SafdarDirector, Institute of

Social Development Studies, University of Peshawar for her encouragement and approval

of this thesis.

At the end we would like to say thanks to our best friends and roommates Zaiwar Niazi

and Qari Jamil khan, who helped us in overcoming this difficult task by their cooperation

and wealth worthy suggestions during our thesis report.


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Table of Contents

S. No Topic Page No

Acknowledgement i

Table of contents iiList of tables iiiAbstract iv

Chapter 1 Introduction 1Refugee 1

Types of refugees 2Majority identified Refugees 2Events alienated Refugees 2Self alienated Refugees 2Afghan Refugee 4Why to Pakistan 4

Afghans in Pakistan 6Historical background of Afghan Refugees influx 7Afghan Refugees after the departure of Soviet troops 8What is Repatriation 10

Types of repatriation 11Role of UNHCR

Statement of the problem

Objectives of the study

Significance of the study

Limitations of the study

Organization of the study

Chapter 2 Literature Review in Historical Perspective Of Afghan Refugees

Historical background of Afghan Refugees

Pakistan Economic and security Concerns

Repatriation of Afghan Refugees

International community assistance for Afghan Refugees

Registration of Afghan Refugees in Pakistan

Factors influencing the decision to Repatriate

Sustainability of Returns

Chapter 3 Research Design

Title of the study

Purpose of the studyScope of the study

Universe of the study

Methodology

Data collection

Duration of the study

Chapter 4 Analysis and interpretation of Data

Chapter 5 Major Findings, Conclusion and Recommendation


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Conclusion

Recommendation

References

Chapter 6 Interview Schedule and References

Interview schedule

References

LIST OF TABLESTABLE # TITLE OF THE TABLE PAGE#

Table -1 Age and Gender of the respondents 38

Table -2 Ethnic group of the respondents 39

Table -3 Educational status and level of Qualification 40

Table -4 Marital status, spouse belongs to, and Number of children 41

Table -5 Children Admitted in schools, and place of admission 42

Table -6 Better socialization of children 42

Table -7 Migration time and stay duration in Pakistan 43

Table -8 Feelings during and after migration 44

Table -9 Problem faced at the time of migration and type of problems 45

Table -10 Satisfaction from accommodation and residential facilities in Pakistan 46

Table -11 Housing condition in Pakistan and Afghanistan 46

Table -12 Ability of residential problems solution after repatriation 47

Table -13 Earning source in Afghanistan 48

Table -14 Earning source in Pakistan 49

Table -15 Change in financial condition and type of change 50

Table -16 Relatives repatriation and the respondents feelings after migration 50

Table -17 Changing condition in Afghanistan after Soviet Union deportation 51Table -18 Considering coalition forces as invaders and withdrawal of them 52

Table -19 Satisfaction from present government and cause of further stay 53

Table -20 If not satisfy from present government then type of government 54

Table -21 Financial ability and suitable condition for repatriation 55

Table -22 Increase or decrease in daily expenses after repatriation 56

Table -23 The help that Afghan government should do in repatriation 56

Table -24 Effects of current security threats in Pakistan on repatriation 57

Table -25 Reason that hamper repatriation 58

Table -26 Health and communication facilities in Pakistan and Afghanistan 59

Table -27 Appeal to the international community especially UNO 60

Table -28 The steps should be taken by Pakistani government 61Table -29 Registration with NADRA and expectation of citizenship 62

Table -30 Burden on economy of Pakistan 62

Table -31 The most positive aspect of life in Pakistan 63

Table -32 The most negative aspect of life in Pakistan 64

Table -33 The most important reason for repatriation 65

Table -34 The most important reason that hampers repatriation 65


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ABSTRACT

This study was carried out on Factors Effecting Repatriation Process of Afghan

Refugees (A case study of Afghan Refugees camp Nasir Bagh District Peshawar, and

Kawga camp at District Buner) in order to see that what kind of factors that effects the

repatriation process of Afghan Refugees.

The main theme of the study was to find out those factors that hamper the repatriation

activity of Afghan Refugees and to know the responses of the Refugees towards their

repatriation.

For this purpose 80 respondents were selected through purposive sampling and the data

was collected through interview schedule.

Majority of the Refugees were not ready to go back to their country due to the law and

order situation in Afghanistan.

The government of Pakistan should to cease the push-backs and forcible return of Afghan

Refugees also the government of Afghanistan and UNO should to make a Master plan and

long term policy for the repatriation of these Refugees.


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CHAPTER

INTRODUCTION

Present research is an effort to explore facts about the problem of Afghan Refugees and to

know about the factors which effecting the repatriation, and also to see the response of

Afghan Refugees towards their repatriation, whether they want to go back to their

country or not. Before going to explain the exact problem of repatriation, we want to

explain the term Refugee and circumstances due to which Afghan Refugees rushed into

Pakistan.

REFUGEE:

The definition given by the Oxford Dictionary is that a person who has been forced to

leave his or her country, home etc for political or religious reason or because there is a

war or shortage of food (Oxford Concise Dictionary).

According to the 1951 Convention relating to the Status of Refugees, a Refugee is a

person who owing to a well-founded fear of being persecuted for reasons of race,

religion, nationality, membership of a particular social group, or political opinion, is

outside the country of their nationality. Before proceeding further with the problem of

Afghan Refugees' repatriation, we should better explain different types of Refugees

TYPES OF REFUGEE:


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Following are the main types of Refugees.

1. MAJORITY IDENTIFIED REFUGEES:

It includes those Refugees who may feel loyalty to the nation, their homeland and

compatriots, but to the regaining government and its adherent. For example most political

Refugees, in their own minds, their return are merely delayed.

2. EVENTS_ALIENATED REFUGEES :

They react to intolerable forces which push them out__ violence, persecution, occupation,

partition of old frontiers (as in the case of India and Pakistan). They become unwanted

aliens with the little hope or desire or possibility of return.

3. SELF ALIENATED REFUGEES:

These Refugees are moved by personal or ideological reasons to alienate themselves

beyond a point where they wish to return. Factors related to homeland, displacement and

the host country raise analytical difficulties on classifying such types as Refugees, as

displaced person or as voluntary immigrants. To say that Refugees are pushed, or pulled

towards a host country does not catch the complexity of the immigration process.

In this country, the legal concept of refugees has been gradually formulated, especially

between the two world wars, initially by western nations. Two basic statuses (UN

convention 1951, UN protocol 1967)to which, by 1981 some ninety nations had extend

international protection to Refugees via asylum tutees define the Refugees as a person


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who owing to a well-founded fear of persecution for reason of race, religion, nationality,

membership of a particular social group or political opinion is put aside by the country of

his nationality and is unable or, owing to such fear, unwilling to avail himself of the

protection of that country (UN conference, 28 July 1951, article 1). Previous international

instruments (during the 1930s) dealt only with specific groups of Refugees; in contrast

the 1951 definition has a more general application and includes the critical principles of

non-reffoulement which prohibits expulsions or forcible return of the against his will.

The 1951 convention does not apply to those Refugees under the care of the UN agencies

other then UNHCR (such as Palestinian Refugees with the UN relief and works agency)

or to those Refugees who have a status equivalent to the natives of that country in which

they get Refugee.

There are many Refugees who fall outside the scope of the convention as presently

interpreted (for instance, internally displaced persons and victims of repressive military

and economic policies) such that the concept of the Refugees tends to be defined

situationly. Thus the definition has also been widened in scope (for example by the pan

African conference on Refugees in 1979). No comprehensive Refugee policy defined by

law existed in the USA until its Refugees act of 1980, although thousands of Refugees

(for example Cubans, Haitians, indo-Chinese) had previously been admitted there. Social

as well as legal, whereby Refugees become the wards of the host government is also a

significant factor in their treatment by voluntary agencies.

AFGHAN REFUGEES:


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In 1979 when revolution came in Afghanistan and soviet troops entered the country, the

Refugee flow began as a trickle in April 1978, reaching a peak during the first half of

1981 when an estimated 4,700 crossed the Pakistan border daily. The flow ebbed and

surged in response to Soviet offenses, so that by the fall of 1989, the number of Afghan

Refugees was estimated at 3.2 million in Pakistan, 2.2. Million in Iran and several

hundred thousands resettled in scattered communities throughout the world. Afghans

represented the largest single concentration of Refugees in the world on whom an

estimated $1 million a day was expended in 1988. Pakistan was the only country, which

has been directly effected by the revolution in Afghanistan, because it is playing the role

of a vast hearted host for more then 3.2 million Refugees who have been staying here for

the last so many years. This long stay of them has caused certain very serious and acute

problem for Pakistan.

WHY TO PAKISTAN:

After 1979 as a result of revolution the people of Afghanistan started migration to

neighboring countries of Iran and Pakistan. The Refugees who migrated to Iran are less in

number than those who came to Pakistan. In Iran they are restricted to camps; in case of

Pakistan things are different. The people of Pakistan and Afghanistan are historically,

culturally and traditionally rooted into the same moulds from the past thousand years.

The main status of Afghan Refugees in Pakistan is derived from Pukhtunwali, the

Pukhtun code of honour. Eightyfive percent of Afghan Refugees in Pakistan are

Pukhtuns and most of them have taken Refuge in the Pukhtun-inhabited regions of North

West Frontier Province [NWFP) and Baluchistan. Both refugee and host populations


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share the same language, culture and value system. Rather than simply being accepted

according to international humanitarian law, the Afghan Refugees were welcomed as

beneficiaries of traditional hospitality, provided by fellow Pukhtuns on the Pakistani side

under the strict norms of pukhtunwali; thus the refugees were seeking shelter amongst

fellow tribesmen.

Importantly, to a Pukhtun, the Durand Line that separates Afghanistan and Pakistan does

not constitute a national border; but divides the Pukhtun region, Pukhtunistan, into two

halves. The majority of Afghan Refugees, being Pukhtuns, see themselves as having

taken Refugee in another part of their homeland. Both the countries Pakistan and

Afghanistan share the longest border, which runs in north-south direction for a distance

of about 1500 miles. In the north it starts from the lofty mountains of Hindukush in

Chitral district and stretches southward along the mountains upped the Chaghi district in

Baluchistan. This whole border which is known as Durand line is dotted with about 240


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passes, which connect both the countries. Most of these passes are situated in very ragged

and difficult terrain at the height of 10,000-14,000 feet above sees level. From centuries

these apparently inaccessible paths have been the gateways for the nomadic peoples of

both the countries, who know the art of crossing these valleys.

AFGHANS IN PAKISTAN:

Before proceeding with the thesis it seems rather essential here to introduce the

background of Afghan Refugees influx in Pakistan. At present the Afghan Refugees in

Pakistan is the single largest group of Refugees in the world. According to Registration

programme of Afghan Refugees that began on October 15, 2006, and is being conducted

by Pakistans National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) with the support

of UNHCR and the governments Commissionerate for Afghan Refugees till February

15, 2007, 2.15 million Afghan Refugees had registered. This influx has been constantly

increasing. The Refugees are sheltered in more than hundred camps primarily in the rural

areas of NWFP, Baluchistan and some have even settled in Punjab and Sindh,

establishing their own business enterprises near important cities and industrial towns.

The government of Pakistan is acting as a coordinator for resettlement, relief, assistance

and rehabilitation of the Afghan Refugees with the support of the international

communities, primarily through the UN high commissioner for refugees (UNHCR) and

the world food program. Despite considerable economic and political costs, the

government and the people of Pakistan have extended an impressive welcome to the

Afghans. The government of Pakistan estimates that annual relief effort costs some $360


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million of which it bears nearly half the cost, chief expenditures being for the program,

administration, and transportation of relief commodities.

Refugees Pakistanis relations have been surprisingly good, mainly due to the strong

common religious beliefs between the endogenous population and the new immigrants. In

an effort to minimize social tension and in view of the longer-term needs of population

with no immediate prospect of returning home, many relief organizations with the

occurrence of the government of Pakistan have expanded their programming to include

projects that enhance Refugees self reliance.

HISTORICAL BACKGROUND OF AFGHAN REFUGEES

INFLUX:

Afghan Refugees started migration into Pakistan in 1973, when Sardar Muhammad Daud

overthrew the Afghan monarchy in a bloodless coup. At that time several hundred

dissidents fled from their country, so as to avoid political persecution. With the toppling

of Sardar Muhammad Daud by Noor Muhammad Tarakai in April 1978, however a

continuous flow of Refugees, started across the border that soon turn into an unending

stream as the situation in Afghanistan worsened with the changes in the government.

In 1979, his Prime Minister Hafizullah Amin overthrew Noor Muhammad Tarakai. With

that change the number of Refugees migrating to Pakistan almost doubled. The situation,

for a time became radical, when Babrak Karmal replaced Hafizullah Amin in December

1979. He requested Soviet Union to send some of their troops. After the Russian


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invasion, the influx of the Refugees started increasing very rapidly. The exodus has to be

continued unabated ever since, one million marks was reached in the middle of 1980 and

the second million about a year thereafter. The figure at the end of June 1984 stood at

more than three million. Afghan Refugees during the first few months of arrival were

kept near the border in camps. But no restriction was placed on their movement. As a

result a few of them went to Punjab and Karachi, but most of them however, preferred to

stay in different parts of NWFP and Baluchistan. The government herself had to shift

Refugees camps near major cities with massive increase in their number.

Peshawar is the biggest city as well as the capital of the North West frontier province,

and so it serves as the hub of economic and social activities, that why it attracted a large

number of Refugees. Today, beside camps in the suburbs of the city they can also be seen

in the city proper. Peshawar development authority estimates that half of the total

population of the city is of Afghan Refugees. A number of these Refugees have also

established their own business and are indulged in different economic activities.

AFGHAN REFUGEES AFTER THE DEPARTURE OF

SOVIET TROOPS:

UNHCR estimates that, as of December 2006, perhaps 2.46 million registered and

unregistered Afghans are currently living in Pakistan and more than 900,000 in Iran. The

Refugees lives in some designated villages grouped into 127 key Refugees clusters, in

the northwest frontier province, Baluchistan and Punjab provinces. The majority of these

are Pushtuns and the rest are the mixture of Hazaras, Balochis, and other minorities. Two


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third of the Refugees are women and children. Afghans first fled to neighboring Pakistan

after soviet invasion on Afghanistan in 1979.

By the end of that year some 400,000 had crossed the border. Within the first three years,

an estimated 2.7 million had entered the Pakistans territory. The exodus continued

uninterrupted for several years reaching 3.32 million in 1990.

The departure of the Soviet troops in February 1989 and the collapse of the Kabul regime

in April 1992 raised the prospects for the peace and return of the Afghan Refugees. But

the divided Mujahideen alliance government, which was instrumental in the defeat of the

Soviet troops and the Najibullah regime failed to secure peace. Instead Afghan

fragmented into armed faction, plunging Afghanistan into a new crisis.

The rise of Taliban Islamic movement in 1969 did not end the suffering of Afghan

Refugees. The Taliban imposed the most rigid religion system not practiced anywhere

else in the world.

The present government has a great financial and political support of the western

alliances and international community. The government of Afghanistan and a lot number

of international NGOS got huge financial aids from the UN member countries in past 8

years, but failed to attract the Refugees from neighbor countries towards their

development in different sectors of life.


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At the earliest sign of piece, Refugees are the first to move into action. Often when a

political settlement is tried for a problem, it leads to the displacement by force. Due to the

peace settlement of Kosovo and Mozambique the Refugees also became hopeful for their

own hazards and started returning back on a massive scale.

WHAT IS REPATRIATION?

Before going to discuss repatriation of Afghan Refugees, it is necessary to explain the

meaning of Repatriation. Repatriation means to send or bring somebody back to their

own country. Simply stated it means send back the Refugees to their own homeland,

when the situation of the country becomes normal. The problem like famine, war or other

due to which the Refugees leave their country and take protection in other neighboring

country is solved. If the Refugees by their own choice want to repatriate then, then it is

called voluntary repatriation. When all settle down then the Refugees are repatriated to

their own country. But sometimes the Refugees do not want to repatriate in spite of the

fact that their problems are solved.

It is clear that repatriation is a process fraught with difficulties and uncertainties,

affecting not only returnees, but also IDPs, stayees and the overall stability and

development of the home country. The physical, social and economic risks of

repatriation can be minimized through a comprehensive process of peace-building,

encompassing economic aid, political development and nation-building. However, it is

still essential that repatriation takes place on an appropriate timescale and at a realistic

rate, and most importantly that the decision to repatriate is voluntarily arrived at by each


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individual Refugee after their own analysis of the situation based on accurate, and ideally

first-hand, information. Refugees may choose to repatriate before all conditions are met,

or even before the end of the conflict. The decisions of Refugees in this regard should

continue to be supported, as is currently UNHCR policy, with the extension of the

mandate if necessary. However, if each of the above conditions, including the

acquiescence of individual Refugees, is not met then the repatriation process is likely to

become more complex and more dangerous. Forcible or coerced repatriation on the part

of host governments or the UNHCR under pressure from donors can threaten the security

of Refugees and the peace and stability of home areas. Thus repatriation cannot always

be considered an optimum solution.

So in this way we can say that there are two types of repatriation.

Voluntary repatriation and Forced repatriation

1. VOLUNTRY REPATRIATION:

When the situation settles down and the Refugees want to go back to their own country

then this is called voluntary repatriation.

2. FORCED REPATRIATION:

When the situation becomes normal and even then the refuse to repatriate to their own

country, and the host country force them to leave then such repatriation is called forced

repatriation.


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When the problem of Refugees arises, it does not remain the problem of only two

countries__ the country from which the people migrate due to certain reason and the

country which hosts the Refugees. But it becomes the concern of the whole world and the

organization working under the supervision of UN, like UNHCR, United Nation High

Commission for Refugees. Most of the member countries of UN, take interest in the

solution of such problem.

The Afghanis became Refugees in Pakistan and Iran when the Soviet troops entered

Afghanistan and took control of the area. About 6.2 million Afghanis rushed into

Pakistan and Iran. Pakistan hosts million Afghan Refugees, one of the worlds largest and

longest staying Refugee groups. The Refugees live in 203 designated villages grouped

into 127 key Refugee clusters, in the N.W.F.P, Baluchistan and Punjab provinces.

Present situation of Afghanistan is that the government and the international agencies

have provided basic facilities to some extent, which results to accelerate the repatriation

process. They are trying their best to give assistance to Refugees and persuade them to

return back to their country and restricted them to their own homeland. The role of

UNHCR in repatriation of Afghan Refugees is very much important. We will give a brief

background of UNHCR.

ROLE OF UNHCR:

UNHCR started working in Afghanistan in 1988 when long-scale repatriation from

Pakistan and later from the Islamic republic of Iran became possible following the


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signing of the Geneva peace accords and subsequent withdrawal of Soviet forces. In

1992, more then 1.6 million Afghan Refugees returned from Pakistan and the Islamic

republic of Iran within a period of eight months, since then more then 5 million Afghan

Refugees have returned under UNHCR auspices. While the number of returns has

dropped significantly in recent years, more then 100,000 Refugees repatriate voluntarily

each year. Most returned to rural areas in Afghanistan, where relative peace and stability

prevails (UNHCR 1998 GLOBAL REPORT).

STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM:

Afghan Refugees form a significant part of Pakistani population and have a deep impact

on Pakistans socio-political-cultural and economic milieu. They have families settled

here, businesses or employment, and better civic amenities. Most Afghan Refugees were

in fact born in Pakistan. There is always a group that fears the Afghan regime in power.

For these reasons, most Afghans do not plan to repatriate at all. Pakistani authorities are

making it harder for Afghan Refugees to live in Pakistan. Camps have been closed, which

has made it harder to monitor Refugees activities. There are restrictions on Afghans

movement. Law enforcement agencies harass Afghans, especially when investigating

terror incidents. In such circumstances, Afghans have to resort to desperate measures,

sometimes with tragic results. Afghan children can no longer find admission in many

educational institutions, which makes the dark future for these children.


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The links of Afghans with the security problems in Pakistan cannot be ignored and an

emphasis on repatriation of Refugees should therefore be a part of the governments anti-

terror strategy.

Most of the Refugees are willing to repatriate to their country but the unsatisfactory

condition of security, employment, education and health facilities in Afghanistan do not

allow them to go to Afghanistan. Over the past 20 years the high unemployment rate and

the growing resentment over the continuing presence of Afghan Refugees in Pakistan is

adding to the general instability of the local community.

So the above information shows that Afghan Refugees in Pakistan are facing different

types of problem, which effects repatriation process of these Refugees. Some factors are

those, which hamper repatriation process, while some of them are accelerating factors. So

we conducted the study, and tried for the determination of those factors, which hamper

and accelerate the process of repatriation of Afghan Refugees. We selected two

respective camps of Afghan Refugees one of them was Kawga camp and the other was

Nasar Bagh.

We used purposive sampling techniques and interview schedule for collecting data,

through which we interviewed 80 respondents i.e.40 from each of the above camp.

We found that most of the respondents don't want to go back due to socio-cultural- and

economic problems.


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So in this situation the both governments of Pakistan and Afghanistan should to provide

many facilities to the refugees for their repatriation and also to help them through

international aid.

OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY:

Main objectives of our study are under

1. To find out the pull and push factors encouraging repatriation of Afghan Refugees.

2. To find out the various factors discouraging the repatriation of Afghan Refugees.

3. To suggest some measures for the successful repatriation of Afghan Refugees.

4. To know the various facilities provided by governments on both side of the border to

facilitate the repatriation process

SIGNIFICIANCE OF THE STUDY:

The problem of Afghan Refugees is worsening day by day and creates problems for both

the people and government of Pakistan. These Refugees are not ready to go back under

the present condition in Afghanistan. The government of Pakistan and Afghanistan fails

to satisfy these Refugees for voluntary repatriation. So in present condition it will be very

necessary to know about the problem of these Refugees and the condition under which

they want to repatriate.

So the study of the Refugees problem in repatriation is of great importance.


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LIMITATIONS OF THE STUDY:

The researchers were faced the following problems during collection of data. Most of the

people were uneducated and they were not aware of research purpose and most of them

were fearful and were not ready to give information. Due to limited education of the

respondents the detailed explanations of the interview questions were needed. Most of the

females' respondents were not able to interview due to socio-cultural aspects and Hijab

taboo. Some of the respondents were not registered with NADRA, due to which they

were fearful to give correct information.

ORGANIZATION OF THE STUDY:

Chapter -1

This chapter includes the definition of Refugees, type of Refugees, and also the Afghan

Refugees their entrance to Pakistan and the historical background of Afghan Refugees

influx. We also discussed Afghan Refugees after the departure of Soviet troops,

repatriation, and types of repatriation and the role of UNHCR in repatriation of Afghan

Refugees. The present condition of the Refugees and the statement of the problem,

objectives of the study, and delimitations and significance of the study are also the part of

the first chapter.


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Chapter -2

In this chapter we discussed the literature review of the problem. Which include historical

background of Afghan Refugees, Pakistan economic and security concerns, repatriation

of Afghan Refugees, international community assistance for Afghan Refugees, and also

the registration of Afghan Refugees, the factors influencing their returns and their

sustainability of returns.

Chapter -3

It contains the design of the research, which includes title, purpose and scope of the

study. The universe and methodology of the study are also the part of this chapter.

Chapter -4

This chapter includes collection, classification of data, and establishment of categories

and quantitative treatment of data.

Chapter -5

Chapter 5 contains major findings of the study and also the conclusion and

recommendations of the study.

Chapter -6:

This chapter is the addition of interview schedule and the references of the study.


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CHAPTER

LITERATURE REVIEW IN HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE

OF AFGHAN REFUGEES

Afghanistan lies across ancient trade and invasion routes from central Asia into India.

This position has been the greatest influence on its history, because the invaders often

settled there. Darius I and Alexander the Great were the first to use Afghanistan as the

gateway to India. The land is mountainous and arid. Jagged, impassable ranges divide the

country and make travel difficult. Due to these physical divisions, the people are

extremely provincial, with more loyalty to their specific clan or ethnic group than to a

government or a country. The people are Muslims, and extremely religious and

conservative. The majority ethnic group is the Pashtun. The Pathans of southeast

Afghanistan and northwest Pakistan have a long history of extended family and tribal

relations. From very ancient time Pathan tribesmen have been migrating back and forth

across what now the Afghan-Pakistan border is commonly known as the Durand line.

Before closing the Pak-Afghan border in 1961, approximately 200,000 Afghan nomads

crossed the frontier semiannually. In addition to these seasonal, migrants, Pakistan had

accepted afghan refugees in 1961, who had fled from the delivery of Daoud regime.

In the early 1970s, Pakistan and Iran also accepted the Afghan Refugees, fleeing from

famine. However, it was the communist coup in April 1978, followed by Soviet invasion

in December 1979, and the subsequent brutal repression of all resistance that accelerated

the movement involving a cross section of Afghan classes and interests (History of

Afghanistan Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia)


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In the first section of this chapter we shall review the earlier circumstances that led the

large number of people to flee from their homeland. Then we shall attempt to illustrate

the profile of these Refugees in Pakistan their registration. In the reminder of the chapter

we shall endeavor to give a sketch of the Pakistan economic and security concerns with

these refugees and also sustainability of returns of these Refugees.

HISTORICAL BACKGROUND OF AFGHAN REFUGEES:

Afghan began fleeing their country in April 1978, when the Marxist peoples

Democratic Party of Afghanistan (PDPA), overthrew the government of Muhammad

Daud (who had himself sized power from his cousin Afghan king Zahir Shah in a

bloodless coup in 1973).

The trickle of refugees accelerated when the Soviet Union invaded in December 1979,

ostensibly to restore order to the country as the PDPA became increasingly splintered.

While political infighting was certainly a problem, some observers also noted that

Afghanistans leadership had begun irking Moscow by making decisions without Soviet

approval. The Soviet attempt to subjugate the Afghans was as times particularly brutal,

including the alleged use of torture and collective punishment. By the beginning of

1981, some 3.7 million Refugees had fled to Iran and Pakistan

Smaller numbers of Refugees continued to flee Afghanistan for the next decade, as the

Soviet fought an insurgency mounted by a loosely allied group of Mujahideen, or holy

warriors. In 1988, the Soviet Union agreed to withdraw from Afghanistan, and UNHCR

and the international assistance community prepared for the massive repatriation of


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Refugees. Large-scale returns did not begin until 1992; however, than Kabul descended

into armed disorder as various Mujahideen factions began fighting for control of the

capital and the surrounding area. A new wave of people was displaced (possibly up to a

million) a majority of whom remained within Afghanistans borders as internally

displaced people (IDPs). After a year long siege, the Taliban took Kabul in1996, and

had gained control of most of the country by 1998 (COMMUNISM, REBELLION,

AND SOVIET INTERVENTION).

PAKISTANS ECONOMIC AND SECURITY CONCERNS:

With the defeat of the Taliban, the Government of Pakistan began strongly advocating

that conditions were appropriate for the return of all Afghans to Afghanistan. The

Government of Pakistan appears to have both economic and security concerns about the


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Afghan population in Pakistan. On the economic level, some Pakistani politicians believe

that Afghans are taking jobs that might otherwise go to Pakistanis. Additionally, Afghans

are reportedly willing to work for lower wages than Pakistanis, causing some Pakistanis

to believe that wage levels are being depressed. Some recent research has shown that

several business sectors particularly transport and construction make heavy use of

Afghan labor. Economic worries about the Afghan population have become more

persistent in recent years, as the overall level of international funding for Refugees in

Pakistan has decreased. The census provided more fuel for this concern when it revealed

that, despite the record repatriation, millions of Afghans still remain in Pakistan. (CRS

Report for Congress Rhoda Margesson)

In addition to their economic impact, some Pakistani leaders are concerned that Afghans

represent a security risk for Pakistan. These fears concern lawlessness, terrorism, and

anti-government activity. There is a perception among many Pakistanis, including

government officials, that Afghans are responsible for a great deal of the smuggling of

stolen goods, narcotics, and weaponry across Pakistans western border. The so-called

smugglers markets on the outskirts of Peshawar and Quetta, for instance, where one

can allegedly buy anything from counterfeit passports to heroin to Kalashnikovs, are

alleged to be run by Afghans and to flourish because of their proximity to Afghanistan.

Pakistani police, in justifying their sweeps through Afghan areas, have cited the

imperative to crack down on crime. One of the reasons the smugglers markets have been

difficult for Islamabad to deal with is that they exist in the so-called Federally

Administered Tribal Areas (FATA), where the central governments writ is weak.

Although each of the FATAs seven agencies is ostensibly governed by a political


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agent appointed by the government in Islamabad, in practice the tribal areas are ruled by

traditional Pashtun leaders, exercising a blend of personal decree, Islamic law (sharia),

and traditional Pashtun legal practices known collectively as pushtunwali. Despite

Islamic proscriptions against drugs and alcohol, the smugglers markets have been an

important source of revenue for some FATA leaders, who continue to permit this

operation. It is not merely lost economic revenue or local law and order that concerns

Pakistani government officials. Many experts and officials believe that the FATA is

being used as a staging area for militant activity, some of it directed against coalition

forces in neighboring Afghanistan and some against the Pakistani government. This

worry has grown more acute in the wake of several assassination attempts against

Pakistans President Pervez Musharraf. In light of the difficult to verify but nevertheless

oft-stated presumption that Osama bin Laden and other senior members of Al Qaeda are

hiding in the mountainous tribal areas of Pakistan, perhaps with the knowledge of local

leaders, the governments efforts to gain control over these areas have gained urgency.

Security was considered to be one of the reasons behind the government of Pakistan

decision to close all of the remaining Refugee camps in the FATA. The government of

Pakistan had for at least two years declared its desire to clear out the FATA camps, but

only began the operation in summer 2005 when it closed Refugee camps in South

Waziristan Agency. Camps in North Waziristan were next with the most recent closures

occurring in Bajaur and Kurram agencies in autumn 2005. All told, close to 200,000

Refugees were displaced in the closures, the majority of them electing to repatriate to

Afghanistan. The government of Pakistan received some criticism during each closure

operation for failing to identify suitable relocation alternatives for Afghans unable to


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repatriate because they lacked shelter or the means to earn a living in Afghanistan, or

other reasons. According to some reports, this resulted in many Afghans crossing the

border into Afghanistan without the desire to do so and without adequate preparation,

support, or security on either side of the border. According to the terms of the Tripartite

Agreement between the Government of Pakistan, the government of Afghanistan and

UNHCR, which was signed in March 2002 (and extended several times since), all returns

must be voluntary. While there have been isolated reports of forced deportations, most

observers believe that the government of Pakistan has largely abided by the agreement.

(CRS Report for Congress Rhoda Margesson)

On January 17, 2007, Pakistans government announced the pending closure of four

Afghan Refugee camps in the border areas, stating it was doing so in order to ensure

security. Two camps will reportedly be closed in March 2007 with another two to follow

later in the year. The camps are located in the provinces of Balochistan and North West

Frontier. Some closures had been announced several years ago, but were postponed until

2007. The move could affect as many as 250,000 Afghan Refugees. The United Nations

and other humanitarian organizations have expressed their concerns for the wellbeing of

the Refugees affected (The News November 23, 2009).

REPATRIATION OF AFGHAN REFUGEES:

According to congressional research service (CRS) report as (January 26, 2007), the

United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has helped 3.69 million

Afghan Refugees return to Afghanistan since March 2002, marking the largest assisted

return operation in its history. In addition, more than 1.11 million Refugees have returned


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to Afghanistan without availing themselves of UNHCRs assistance, bringing the total

number of returnees to at least 4.8 million. Despite the massive returns, possibly 3.5

million registered and unregistered Afghans still remain in these two countries of asylum

up to 2.46 million in Pakistan and more than 900,000 in Iran making Afghans the

second-largest Refugee population in the world. These numbers are far greater than the

initial working assumption in 2002 of 3.5 million Refugees; in fact, the total is believed

to be more than 8 million (Pakistan Times November 3rd2008).

The United States spent approximately $332.37 million between FY 2002 and FY 2005

on humanitarian assistance to Afghan Refugees and returnees through the Department of

States Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration (PRM). It continues to provide

support to Refugees and returnees. The 110th Congress faces several relevant challenges.

The safe and voluntary return of Refugees to Afghanistan is not only a major part of the

U.S. reconstruction effort in Afghanistan, but also an important indicator of its success.

To the extent that Refugees continue to return, it can be seen that Afghans are taking part

in the future of their country. It is becoming more difficult, however, to encourage

Refugees to return. Those who were most capable of returning did so in the early years;

those who remain have progressively less to return to houses, livelihoods, family in

Afghanistan. Furthermore, maintaining the high pace of returns will require greater levels

of reintegration assistance to anchor returnees in their homes and help them reestablish

their lives in Afghanistan. Security will also be a major factor in population displacement

within and across borders (EURASIA INSIGHT AFGHAN REFUGEES RELUCTANT

TO LEAVE PAKISTAN).


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Table # : Refugee returns since March 2002

According to UN report (Nov 19, 2008) U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees Antonio

Guterres said, Everyone had agreed Afghanistan faced problems because of insecurity

and "limited absorption capacity. In these circumstances it is paramount, the respect for

the principle of voluntary repatriation in safety and dignity. Countries playing host to

Afghan Refugees should only send them home if they want to go, the head of the U.N.

Refugee agency said as insecurity and insufficient sources hampered the reintegration of

returnees.

Buoyed by international re-engagement in Afghanistan after the fall of the Taliban in late

2001, more than 5 million Afghan Refugees returned home from Pakistan and Iran during

the early 2000s, making the largest voluntary repatriation in the history of the United

Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).


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Many were deported, particularly from Iran, and often to protests by the United Nations

and aid agencies. There are about 2 million Afghans in Pakistan and 1 million in Iran.

Guterres said a commitment from Pakistan and Iran to maintain the "voluntary character

of asylum" had to apply worldwide (UN High Commissioner for Refugees Antonio

Guterres)

The status of Afghan Refugees in Pakistan and Iran has also been somewhat controversial

in recent years, as these governments want all Afghan refugees to return to Afghanistan.

Officials in Pakistan have become concerned that the concentrations of Afghans in the

country pose a security and crime risk, as individuals and goods are smuggled across the

border. At the same time, however, many observers argue that Afghan labor migration

may be beneficial to both Iran and Pakistan which take advantage of cheap and

effective immigrant labor as well as Afghanistan, whose citizens benefit heavily from

remittances sent in from abroad. To cut off this source of income for many poor Afghans

could have disastrous consequences not only humanitarian, but in the security sphere

as well, as more than a million Afghans along the Afghan-Pakistan border are deprived of

livelihoods and resort to other means to feed their families. Reportedly, many Afghans

cross the border regularly, without documentation, and Islamabad does not appear to have

the resources to control this flow. A future challenge will thus be to balance reasonable

concerns about security with the importance of Afghanistans labor plans in the regional

economies and the forces that drive its migration patterns.


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INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY ASSISSTANCE FOR

AFGHAN REFUGEES:

The United States government (USG) has provided humanitarian assistance to Afghan

Refugees since the early 1980s. Funding for Afghan Refugees declined rapidly since it

peaked after the U.S.-led invasion in October 2001. Almost all assistance has been

provided through the Migration and Refugee Assistance (MRA) account, and has been

programmed by the Department of States Bureau of Population, Refugees, and

Migration (PRM).This funding is used not only for the protection and care of Refugees in

countries of asylum, but also for the reintegration of Afghan returnees in Afghanistan.

Table # : USG assistance to Afghan refugees and returnees

Table # presents USG assistance to Afghan Refugees and returnees since the U.S.-led

invasion in October 2001. Since the majority of PRM funding is provided to regional

projects, it is not possible to provide a breakdown of assistance by country.


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The majority of PRMs assistance for Afghans is provided to international organizations

(IOs), principally UNHCR and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC),

both of which have been active in Afghanistan since the 1980s. In past years, some

funding has also been provided to the International Federation of Red Cross and Red

Crescent Societies (IFRC), IOM, the U.N. Childrens Fund (UNICEF) and the U.N.

Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). PRM also provides

funding directly to non-governmental organizations (NGOs) for targeted projects.

Proposals are selected by a panel of PRM experts based on the NGOs track record, the

cost-effectiveness of the proposal, and the extent to which the work meets PRMs stated

guidelines. (CRS Report for Congress Rhoda Margesson)


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USG assistance to Afghan Refugees and returnees through PRM is generally intended to

meet the most basic humanitarian needs, including food, shelter, protection, water and

sanitation, health care, and primary education. In addition, PRM helps support the

assisted repatriation of refugees back to Afghanistan. Much of this activity is carried out

by PRMs principal IO partners. UNHCR, in addition to managing the massive

repatriation operation, also oversees shelter construction and water and sanitation

activities in Afghanistan. In Pakistan and Iran, UNHCR is responsible for refugee

protection and camp management, including provision of health care, primary education,

and adequate water and sanitation to refugees. Many of these activities are actually

conducted by international and local NGOs with oversight and funding from UNHCR.

UNHCR has also taken on a leading role in the humanitarian response to the South Asia

earthquake of October 2005. Although most of the earthquakes victims were not

Refugees, because of its experience and assets in Pakistan, UNHCR was designated the

lead agency for the camp management cluster, which officially ended on August 31,

2006. (UNHCR Afghanistan Situation Operational Update, September 2006)

Although it has offices in Iran and Pakistan, the ICRC is more active in Afghanistan,

where it supports health care, demining, water and sanitation, family reunification,

promotion of international humanitarian law, and detention visits. In addition to

supporting the activities of IOs, PRM directly funds NGOs to carry out humanitarian

projects, such as shelter construction for returnees, Refugee education, skills training for

women, and refugee and returnee health care. These projects are designed to complement

the activity of the IOs. In keeping with humanitarian practice, PRM does not single out


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Refugees and returnees alone for assistance. Most PRM-funded projects also benefit host

communities as well as the target population.

At the same time, the international community must honor the principle of burden sharing

and provide relief assistance to states hosting large numbers of Refugees. Assistance to

Pakistan and Iran should aim at empowering Afghan Refugees so that they will gain

skills necessary both to contribute to their host societies and later to use those skills to

earn an income upon return home.

Additionally, developed countries must expand their resettlement programs, taking in

more Afghan Refugees from Iran and Pakistan on an annual basis. Resettlement of

Afghan Refugees in the developed countries will go a long way in helping rebuild and

develop Afghanistan. Resilience and high achievement motivation that characterize most

Refugees will quickly enable resettled Afghan families to adapt into their new societies,

taking advantage of social and economic opportunities there to establish themselves and

to continue supporting their relatives at home, as well as in Pakistan and Iran.

In the long run, most resettled Afghans will have gained wealth and higher education

which they would certainly use to invest in Afghanistan, as we know from the return of

many wealthy Afghans and technocrats who have made significant contributions to

Afghanistans reconstruction since 2002. (CRS Report for Congress Rhoda Margesson)

REGISTERATION OF AFGHAN REFUGEES IN

PAKISTAN:


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In order to gather more information on Afghans in Pakistan, and ultimately to sort out

those who have legitimate protection concerns from others, the government conducted a

census in February and March 2005 that has become the basis for the registration program

developed with UNHCR and the government of Afghanistan. Registration of Afghans

began on October 15, 2006, and is being conducted by Pakistans National Database and

Registration Authority (NADRA) with the support of UNHCR and the governments

Commissionerate for Afghan Refugees. To encourage Afghans to come forward for the

registration, those who are registered are given a new identity document entitling them to

live and work in Pakistan for three years till 2010 A.D, which is now extended further for

2013 A.D. The validity period of the documentation is still being negotiated among

UNHCR, the government of Pakistan, and the government of Afghanistan. Initially, only

those Afghans counted in the census (about 2.5 million) could register, but in December

2006, the list was expanded to include all Afghans who could show documented evidence

as proof that they were living in Pakistan at the time the census was conducted. The idea

was to provide for a transition period during which Afghans may reconnect with

Afghanistan and ultimately return home. As of January17, 2007, 1.5 million had

registered. The registration was supposed to end on December 31 but has been extended

twice the first time until January 19, 2007, and then again to February 2, 2007. (IRIN

23 November 2009)

FACTORS INFLUENCING THE DECISION TO

REPATRIATE:


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Afghans have always maintained that they will return home. Indeed, great difficulties

were endured in order to repatriate. The main factor preventing the full and complete

repatriation of Afghan Refugees is the continued warfare between various factions in

Afghanistan. Mostly, Refugees have only repatriated when they find that kinship, tribal

ties and political allegiance to strong warlords guarantee them an acceptable level of

stability and protection. Hence, the returnees relationship to the home area and those

who rule is a key factor in his repatriation; even the decision to repatriate is taken when

the home warlord has given consent. Being an agricultural economy, land tenure in

Afghanistan is a crucial factor for the survival and security of repatriating Refugees. The

war caused massive population displacement and traditional social structures were upset

throughout the country. Traditional landlords and small landowners fled Afghanistan and,

in their absence, those people left in the area took over their land; in most cases (Refugee

Policy Group, 1992,). Agriculture has been severely damaged by war; levels of

production of major crops have declined, i.e. wheat by one-third, cotton production has

halved and sugar beet is no longer produced. This has led to food shortages.

Unavailability of pesticides and damage to irrigation systems were the main factors for

reducing agricultural production there. Most of the irrigational infrastructure in

Afghanistan has been destroyed during the war. Damage by fighting and neglect has

severely reduced the effective means of all irrigation systems (UNOCA, 1988) repair and

maintenance will require great efforts, including some capital. Irrigation is the key to

agriculture and will require attention from the Government of Afghanistan plus some

international help, if peace can be established, for the system to be fully repaired. Thus,

agricultural output cannot be foreseen to increase at any substantial rate in the near


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future, and this is one of the main factors influencing the decisionmaking of Refugees

to return, and will continue to be so, at least in the short term. Health services in

Afghanistan are also of very low standard and few of the population can be adequately

served, despite the efforts to restore health care, which are underway. Education is

another important factor influencing Refugees deciding whether to repatriate. Most

Refugee children are enrolled in either Pakistani or Afghan Refugee schools and have

good prospects of gaining at least some basic education. Then, there is the case of a large

number of Refugees with a wide range of jobs and businesses. Some of these will not be

inclined to leave their livelihoods and return to Afghanistan. Those with business

interests tied to Pakistan would not want to go back unless the markets are thriving.

(Afghan Refugees in Pakistan Push Come to Shove HRCP April 2009).

SUSTAINABILITY OF RETURNS:

Even after four years of exceptionally high refugee return numbers, the population of

Afghan Refugees in Pakistan and Iran remains the second-highest in the world. If recent

returnees also central to PRMs mandate are added to this number, Afghans

represent by far the largest population of refugees and returnees in the world. Funding for

Afghan Refugees has, however, diminished both overall and as a percentage of PRMs

total annual budget since FY2002. The United States thus faces the challenge of

maintaining its crucial assistance in this area of the world despite competing priorities.

This challenge may become even more difficult in the near future, because maintaining

the successful repatriation program is likely to become more, not less, expensive as time


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goes on. This is because the Refugees remaining in Pakistan and Iran have fewer

resources in and ties to Afghanistan than those who returned earlier. They have also, on

average, spent far more time outside of Afghanistan than earlier returnees. As time goes

on, it becomes increasingly more difficult and expensive to encourage remaining

Refugees to voluntarily return to Afghanistan. Thus, as funding is declining, its

importance may be increasing. A related issue may be whether Pakistan and Iran would

be receptive to encouragement to grant citizenship to Afghans who do not want to return

to Afghanistan.

Another factor influencing the success of the repatriation program is the sustainability of

previous returns to Afghanistan that is, the degree to which returnees are being

adequately anchored in their communities, whether they are receiving health care,

education, and opportunities to make a living. Integration of returnees increasingly is

examined in both studies and reports and getting the attention of policymakers. The

success of the repatriation program thus depends on the success of the overall

reconstruction effort in Afghanistan, including the extent to which returned Refugees

(and IDPs) are integrated into reconstruction efforts. There is already evidence that many

Afghan returnees do not remain in Afghanistan; traffic across the Pakistani border in

particular in both directions is heavy. To a certain extent, and as noted above, this is

a historical pattern that pre-dates not only the repatriation program but the Refugee crisis

as well. A cause for concern may emerge, however, if it is concluded that many of the

Afghans crossing back into Pakistan are doing so because they could not sustain

themselves in Afghanistan. A renewed outward flow of Afghans, in addition to signaling


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the possible inadequacies of the reconstruction effort in Afghanistan, could increase

tensions with host countries. Both the government of Pakistan and the government of

Iran, indicate some possible (IRIN Dominica 15 Marzo 2009).

According to Human rights commission of Pakistan (HRCP) press release (24 June 2009)

the repatriation of registered Afghan Refugees from Pakistan does not meet the required

standard of voluntarism deemed mandatory by international Refugee law. The report

entitled Push Comes to Shove whose publication coincided with the World Refugee

Day, June 20 studies the trends and patterns of repatriation of Afghan Refugees through

2007 and 2008 to determine whether the process was voluntary.

The study conducted by HRCPs Peshawar chapter says that even though many Afghan

Refugees in Pakistan signed up for repatriation, large numbers did so not because they

thought that it was safe to return, but because they believed they had no choice in the

matter. Refugees interviewed from camps slated for closure spoke of harassment by

police, lack of security, basic infrastructure, education, health and livelihood

opportunities in Afghanistan as the main reason for their hesitation to return.

All Afghan Refugees registered in Pakistan were required to leave by the end of 2009.

Those living in camps slated for closure could opt to relocate to another camp. An

overwhelming majority of Refugees declined relocation to another camp, not because

they were keen to return to Afghanistan but said they would not want to be uprooted

again when the December 2009 deadline arrived. That deadline has now been extended to

2012.


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According to the report, outside the camps slated for closure, an environment of

persecution and intimidation was created by checking movement of Refugees and

harassment at the hands of police. In camps, houses were razed and businesses locked,

often resulting in confrontation between the authorities and the Refugees.

Repatriation may be the preferred solution for all concerned but adhering to the principle

of voluntarism must not be ignored and the needs of Refugees with additional

vulnerabilities must be considered, the report said. Any attempt to repatriate Afghan

Refugees must take into account their willingness to return and the conditions back home,

especially security and shelter, it added.


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CHAPTER

RESEARCH DESIGN:

TITLE OF THE STUDY:

The title of the study is FACTORS EFFECTING REPATRIATION PROCESS OF

AFGHAN REFUGEES.

PURPOSE OF THE STUDY:

The main purpose of the study is to find out those factors which effecting repatriation

process of Afghan refugees from Pakistan.

SCOPE OF THE STUDY:

The repatriation of afghan refugees is the burning issue nowadays in Pakistan. There is

struggle to solve this problem. UNO also takes interest in repatriation of afghan refugees.

But the main problem of these refugees is that they do not want to go back an under what

condition they will return to their homeland. If we find out those factors which effects

repatriation process of these refugees, then we hope this problem can easily be solved.

UNIVERSE OF THE STUDY:

The study is confined to a refugees camp named Kawga camp located in district Buner,

on Buner-Swabi road consist of about 700 hundred homes and about 9000 population that


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covers an area of 930 acres of land. The camp had opened for the refugees in 1980 and

most of its residential are living there, since that time. The second place selected as

universe for our data collection was Nasar Bagh refugees located along with canal road

possessing about 16000 populations and about 1150 homes.

METHODOLOGY:

Every researcher in social sciences depends upon certain tools of data collection through

which a social scientist obtains a body of reliable facts for analysis.

As a researcher we used the following methods.

a)SAMPLING:

For collecting the relevant data, the purposive sampling techniques were adopted (used)

by researcher from total area.

b)SAMPLE SIZE:

The sample size was 80 and for our research purposes we pick them gradually from

Kawga camp and Nasar Bagh. From Kawga camp we selected 40 samples through out

19000 populations, and similarly 40 selected from Nasar Bagh out of 16000 of the total

population. In this way we choose 80 samples from Nasar Bagh and Kawga camp. The

following table shows this division:


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S1 Kawga camp 40

S2 Nasar Bagh 40

Sample size=80

S=S1+S2

S=40+40

S=80

(c) TOOLS OF DATA COLLECTION:

Keeping in view time limitation and awareness array the respondents towards the subject

the researchers have implemented interview schedule for the collection of the relevant

information.

(d) PRE TESTING:

Pre testing is the method of testing the nature of questions in interview schedule before

the collection of actual data. By this method the mistake in interviews or questions are

detected. Before collecting actual data five interviews schedule were prepared to test the

nature of questions in the interview schedule. Some changes were made and the

necessary addition and subtraction were made.

DATA COLLECTION:

After pre testing the relevant information were collected from the respondents.


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DATA ANALYSIS:

After collecting the relevant information through interview schedule the study was passed

through classification, tabulation, finding/conclusion and suggestions.

DURATION OF THE STUDY:

Four months duration was given for the study, which was completed during the estimated

time.


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Chapter 4:

ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION OF DATA:

Analysis in social research means the preparation of social phenomenon into their

constituent parts and an examination of these parts in relation to each other in their social

context.

Analysis is a continuous process. It begins long before the collection of data comes to an

end and in rudimentary forms enters into the every phase of research study, observation,

collection and classification of data, establishment of categories and quantitative

treatment of data.

In this chapter we have presented the data in the form of simple tables for the

interpretation and analysis with the scientific method to get the result.

Table # 1: Age and Gender of the respondents

Age Gender

Age Frequency Percentage Male Female

Frequency Percentage Frequency Percentage

20_30 14 17.5 12 15 1 1.25

31_40 16 20 14 17.5 2 2.5

41_50 18 22.5 17 21.25 2 2.5

Above 50 32 40 24 30 8 10

Total 80 100 67 83.75 13 16.25

Source: Survey Data

The above table indicates Age and Gender of the respondents. The data collected mostly

from aged person and more male members were selected as compared to female

members, because it is difficult in Pashtun community to interview a female member due

to social norms of freely meeting with an unknown male member.


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The first portion of the table shows that out of 80 respondents 17.5% were in the range

of 20_30 years of age, 20% respondents were in the range of 31_40, and 22.5% were in

the range of 41_50 years of age, while above 50 years respondents were 40%.

Further portion of the table shows the Gender of the respondents. There were 15% males

and 1.25% females at the range of 20_30years of age. At the range of 31_40 there were

17.5% males and 2.5% females. The males at the range of 41_50 were 21.25% and 2.5%

were females, while males were 30% and 10% females above 50 years of age.

Majority of the respondents that is 22.5% and 40% were above age 40 and 50 years

respectively And at the gender base the male were in majority and containing 83.75% out

of 100%, who provided us information.

Table # 2: Ethnic group of the respondents

Ethnicity

Ethnic group Frequency Percentage

Pashtun 70 87.5

Non Pashtun 10 12.5Total 80 100

Source: Survey Data

Mostly Afghan refugees in Pakistan consist of two great ethnic groups of which one is

the pashtun and the other one is the Persian, but majority of them consist of pashtuns.

The above table indicates the ethnic groups of Pashtun and Non Pashtun, of the

respondents.

It shows that 87.5% were Pashtuns, and the rest 12.5% of them were Non Pashtuns

respondents who provide us information.

From the above information we can concluded that most of the respondents i.e. 87.5%

were Pashtuns, who provided us information.


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Table# 3: Educational status and level of Qualification

Educational status and level of Qualification

Educational status Level of qualification

Educational status Frequency Percentage Level of Qualification Frequency Percentage

Literate 36 45Primary 4 11.11

Middle 8 22.22

Illiterate 44 55Matric 9 25

College & university 15 41.67

Total 80 100 Total 36 100

Source: Survey Data

The above table indicates educational status and level of qualification of the respondents.

The first portion of the table shows that 45% of the respondents were literate, but the

remaining 55% were illiterate respondents.

Further portion of the table shows that out of 36 literate respondents, 11.11% were

educated only at Primary level, and the respondents passed the Middle, were 22.22%.

While the Matric level respondents were 25%, But the College and University level

respondents were 41.67%.

It is to be concluded that more than a half that is 55% were illiterate respondents, while in

literate respondents college and university qualified respondents were more then all

other level of education.


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Table # 4: Marital status, spouse belongs to and Number of children.

Marital status Spouse belongs No of children

Response Percentage Response Percentage Response Frequency Percentage

Married 86.25 Afghanistan 94.2Nil 6 8.7

0-3 17 24.6

Unmarried 13.75 Pakistan 5.84_6 16 23.2

7_9 10 14.5

Total100 Total 100

Above 9 20 29

Total 69 100

Source: Survey Data

The statistic in the above table indicates the marital status and Spouse of the respondents

belongs to Afghanistan or Pakistan and number of children of the respondents.

The first portion of the table shows that 86.25% percent were married respondents and

the rest of them that is 13.75% were unmarried. The second portion of the table give us

information about place to which spouse belongs, which shows that 94.2% of the spouses

belongs to Afghanistan of the married respondents and the rest of them, that is 5.8%

belongs to Pakistan.

The next portion of the table indicates that 8.7% married respondents having no children,

while 24.6% are the respondents, who have the children in the range 0_3. But 23.2%

exist in the range 4_6 children. 14.5% of the respondents exist in the range of 7_9

children, while 29% of the respondents having children more then 9.

From the above information it is to be concluded that married respondents were more

then those of unmarried respondents i.e.86.25%. And most of the married respondents

spouses (94.2%) belong to Afghanistan. And the numbers of those respondents were

more then all other categories who have more then 9 children i.e. 29%.


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Table # 5: children Admitted in schools, and place of admission

Children admitted in schools Place of admission

Children in schools Frequency Percentage Place of admission Frequency PercentageAdmitted 43 68.25 Pakistan 43 100

Not admitted 20 31.75 Afghanistan 0 0


Source: Survey Data

This tables gives us information about children admitted in schools or not, and the place

of their admission.

The first portion of the table shows that 68.25% respondents were admitted their children

in schools and the rest 31.75% respondents had not admitted their children in schools.

The next half of the table describes 100% of the respondents, children admitted in

Pakistani institution to get education.

From the above statistics we can concluded that the refugees gives comparatively more

attention on their children education as compared of their own education. Most of them

i.e. (68.25%) took admission to their children in schools and 100% of them are admitted

their children in educational institutions of Pakistan, which also shows the advancement

of Pakistani education as compared to Afghanistan.


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Table# 6: Better socialization of children

Better Socialization of children

Responses Frequency Percentage

Afghanistan 18 28.6

Pakistan 45 71.4

Total 63 100

Source: Survey Data

The table indicates the responses of the respondents who have children, about place of

better socialization for their children.

Out of 63 respondents 71.4% considered Pakistan a suitable place for their children better

socialization, while the rest 28.6% of the interviewed respondents preferred Afghanistan

for their children better socialization.

It is to be concluded that most of the respondents i.e. 71.4% considering Pakistan to be a

good place for their children better socialization.


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Table# 7: Migration Time & Stay duration in Pakistan

Migration Time & Stay duration in Pakistan

Migration Time Stay duration in Pakistan

Responses Frequency Percentage Response Frequency Percentage

Before invasion 8 10 1_10 years 5 6.25

After invasion 72 90 11_20 years 21 26.25

Total 80 100Above 20years 54 67.5

Total 80 100

Source: Survey Data

Mostly Afghan refugees entered Pakistan after Soviet Union invasion on Afghanistan and

generally most of these refugees have been spent more then 20 years span in Pakistan.

The statistics in the above table indicates first migration time and the stay duration in

Pakistan.

The first part of the table shows that only 10% of the respondents came to Pakistan before

the Soviet invasion and the rest 90% of the respondents came after the Soviet Union

invasion. The second part of the table shows that 6.25% respondents have passed 1_10

years in Pakistan, while 26.25% respondents have passed 11_20 years duration in

Pakistan. But 67.5% were among those respondents who have spent more then 20 years

of life in Pakistan.

It is concluded from the above information that most of the refugees i.e.90% entered

Pakistan after the Soviet Union invasion on Afghanistan. The information also shows that

most of them have spent above 20 years of life in Pakistan.


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Table # 8: Feelings during and after migration

Feelings during and after migration

Feelings during migration Feelings after migrationResponses Frequency Percentage Happy Unhappy Mix feelings

Happy 27 33.75 27 (33.75%) 0 (0%) 0 (0%)

Unhappy 48 60 34 (42.5%) 8 (10%) 6 (7.5%)

Mix feelings 5 6.25 3 (3.75%) 1 (1.25%) 1(1.25%)

Total 80 100 64 (78.0%) 9 (11.25%) 7 (8.75%)

Source: Survey Data

Migration from one country to another country due to some external aggression or

political reasons brings different type of miseries and problems to the refugees. The

refugee when leaving their native land and enters to the new area, passing from a series

of different type of feelings of happiness and unhappiness. We tried to know about the

feelings of Afghan refugees at the time when they first entered to Pakistan, of which

33.75% of the respondents were happy and 60% of them were unhappy and some 6.25%

were entered with mix feelings.

But at present out of 33.75% of happy respondents all are happy, while from 60%

unhappy respondents 42.5% became happy and 10% are still unhappy and 7.5% exists

with mix feelings.

Also from6.25% respondents who had mixed feelings now 3.75% became happy1.25%

unhappy and also 1.25% is still living with mix feelings.

It is to be concluded that at the time of first arrival of these respondents a major portion

of 60% were unhappy, when they first entered to Pakistan, but at present 78% of the

respondents living happily in Pakistan, which show a fall in the graph of unhappy

respondents from 60% to 11.25%.


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Table # 9: Problems faced at the time of migration and type of problems

Problems faced during migration and type of problem

Problems faced Type of problemsResponse Frequency Percentage Type of problem Frequency Percentage

Yes 55 68.75Residential problem 20 36.3

Financial problem 16 29.1

No 25 31.25Food & shelter problem 10 18.2

Political & social problem 4 7.3

Total 80 100

Other 5 9.1

Total 55 100

Source: Survey Data

When the refugees going out from their native land and leaving their homes, neighbours,

and other facilities of daily life, then they facing different types of problems. Afghan

refugees when first entered to Pakistan also faced different type of problems. According

to the above statistics 68.75% respondents faced different types of problems. 36.3% of

respondents were faced residential problems, 29.1 percent of them were faced financial

problems, the respondents who faced food and shelter problems were 18.2%, and 7.3%

were those who faced political and social problems, while 9.1% were faced other types of

the mentioned problems.

It may be concluded that 68.75% Afghan refugees had faced different types of problems,

of which the residential problem and financial problems were on the top.


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Table # 10: Satisfaction from accommodation and residential facilities in Pakistan

Satisfaction from accommodation and residential facilities in Pakistan

Satisfied from accommodation Satisfied from residential facilitiesResponse Frequency Percentage Response Frequency Percentage

Yes 57 71.25 Yes 55 68.75

No 23 28.75 No 25 31.25


Source: Survey Data

There may be different type of problems to which a refugee facing. One of the most

important of these problems is the accommodation or residential problem, which is one of

the basic needs for passing a normal life. The afghan refugees living in different areas of

Pakistan are facing different types of problems. Although most of the interviewed

respondents i.e. 71.25%, were satisfied from their accommodation, and 68.75% were

satisfied from their residential facilities. But only 28.7% respondents were not satisfied

from accommodation and 31.25% from residential facilities.

It has been concluded that 71.25% and 68.75% of Afghan refugees living in Pakistan are

satisfied to some extent from their accommodation and residential facilities respectively.


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Table # 11: Housing condition in Pakistan and Afghanistan

Housing condition in Pakistan and Afghanistan

Housing condition in Pakistan Housing condition in Afghanistan

Response Frequency Percentage Response Frequency Percentage

Rented 38 47.5

Intact 7 8.75Owned 42 52.5

Total 80 100

Response Frequency Percentage Damaged/Destroyed 73 91.25Kacha 53 66.25

Pakka 27 33.75


Source: Survey Data

Mostly Afghan refugees in Pakistan living in refugee camps, but a considerable number

of them are also living in urban areas of different cities of the country. The refugees in

camps living in kacha buildings but their owned homes, on the other hand the refugees

living in urban areas living in pakka buildings, but most of them are rented.

There are 47.5% of the respondents in the table, with rented homes but 52.5% having

their own homes. Most of these refugees i.e. 66.25% are living in Kacha homes but only

33.75% of them passing their lives in Pakka buildings.

The house condition of these refugees in Afghanistan is also very important, and a pull

factor in repatriation of these refugees. The respondents with damaged home in

Afghanistan consist 91.25% of the total respondents, but the remaining 8.75%

respondents only, having intact homes there.

It is to be concluded that about half (52.5%) of the interviewed people living in rented

homes, and about half (47.5%) of them are living in their own houses. The respondents

with Kacha homes consists 2/3 portion (66.25%) of the total. It is also noted that most of

these respondents (91.25%) are having a damaged home in their own country.


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Table # 12: Ability of residential problems solution after repatriation without

government aid

Ability of residential problems solution after repatriation without government aid

Able to solve residential problems Frequency Percentage

Yes 20 25

No 60 75

Total 80 100

Source: Survey Data

Residential problem after repatriation to these refugees is also a problem of great

importance, the solution of which is to be played a vital role in repatriation of these

refugees. Afghan government and the international agencies tried to help repatriated

refugees in residential and financial fields. But this aid is not enough to fulfill all of their

basic needs. After which the refugee is compelled to solve their own problems by their

own without government aid.

The table shows that only 25% of the total interviewed respondents have shown their

ability to solve their residential problems, but still a great portion (75%) of them have no

such ability to reconstruct their homes in Afghanistan without government aid.

It is to be concluded from the above information that (75%) of the respondents have

not such ability to reconstruct their homes without government aid.


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Table # 13: Earning source in Afghanistan

Earning source in Afghanistan

Earning source Frequency PercentageBusiness 13 16.25

Agriculture 46 57.5

Government servant 9 11.25

Private servant 12 15

Total 80 100

Source: Survey Data

Afghanistan is an underdeveloped country and most of its population main profession is

agriculture. There is no heavy industrial system to promote the life of the common

people. Mostly the common people earns their livelihood through small scale business,

farming or through government or private service. The respondents who had their own

business were 16.25%. But the percentage of small scale farmers among interviewed

respondents was 57.5% more then all other profession. Only

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